Watch CBS Information Up to date on: June 25, 2022 / 6:44 PM / CBS/AP A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a girl at an abortion protest whereas he was off-duty was suspended from his job with pay Saturday whereas the Windfall Police Division conducts a prison investigation into his actions.
Democratic state Senate candidate Jennifer Rourke, the chairwoman of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, on Saturday morning tweeted video of the alleged assault. "I am a reproductive rights organizer & State Senate candidate.
Final evening, after talking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent , a police officer , violently attacked me.
That is what it's to be a Black girl working for workplace.
I will not hand over," she wrote.
I am a reproductive rights organizer & State Senate candidate.
Final evening, after talking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent , a police officer , violently attacked me.
That is what it's to be a Black girl working for workplace.
I will not hand over. pic.twitter.com/ZREDP2dvXY The Windfall Police Division confirmed Saturday that Jeann Lugo, who was additionally vying for the Republican nomination for a similar state Senate seat, was the officer in query. "The PPD is criminally investigating the habits of an off obligation officer final night throughout a protest the place a feminine was assaulted," the division stated earlier Saturday. "The officer has served for 3 yrs and positioned on administrative depart w/pay this morning, pending a prison investigation and administrative evaluate." Lugo instructed the Providence Journal that he was "not going to disclaim" the punching allegation, however added that "every part occurred very quick." "As an officer that swore to guard and serve our communities, I, sadly, noticed myself in a state of affairs that no particular person ought to see themselves in," he stated within the e-mail to the Boston Globe . "I stepped in to guard somebody {that a} group of agitators was attacking." Lugo didn't instantly reply to a request for remark from The Related Press.
Video of the occasion posted on-line reveals two different people concerned in a bodily altercation on the protest proper earlier than a girl, apparently Rourke, is seen being hit.
The video doesn't present what occurred between Lugo and Rourke previous to Rourke being hit. "I am a Black girl working for workplace," Rourke instructed the Journal. "There was no want, no want for any of this.
I am not going to surrender." In a name with The Related Press, Rourke stated the incident occurred as she was trying to escort a counterprotester who had agreed to depart.
As she was main the person off the premises, she stated, one other bodily altercation broke out, at which level she was punched within the face a number of occasions by Lugo.
Rourke stated she has by no means interacted with Lugo earlier than and didn't know he can be on the protest. "I am disenchanted he selected to make use of violence on this method.
As a police officer, he is educated to deescalate.
He didn't do what he was educated to do," she stated.
Rourke sought medical care and acquired a CT scan on Saturday afternoon.
She stated she was doing OK however was experiencing numerous tenderness in her face and ringing in her ears.
She stated she had pressed prices towards Lugo.
At noon Saturday, Lugo tweeted that he was dropping out of the race. "I cannot be working for any workplace this fall," he stated.
His Twitter account appeared to have been deactivated shortly afterwards.
Windfall Mayor Jorge Elorza tweeted that he had seen the video and known as it "immensely disturbing." Elorza stated he was "restricted" in what he might say publicly, however added, "These accountable might be held absolutely accountable." The altercation occurred throughout a Friday protest outdoors the Rhode Island State Home in Windfall that was in response to the choice by the U.S.
Supreme Courtroom that overturned Roe v.
Wade, the 1973 choice that had offered a constitutional proper to abortion.
First revealed on June 25, 2022 / 5:20 PM © 2022 CBS Interactive Inc.
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The Related Press contributed to this report.
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