A GOP candidate for state Senate in Rhode Island has been positioned on depart from his job as a police officer after allegedly assaulting his opponent at an abortion rights rally.
The Windfall Police Division positioned Jeann Lugo on depart Saturday morning, native information station WPRI confirmed.
When reached by HuffPost, the division didn't determine Lugo by title however stated it was “criminally investigating the habits of an off obligation Windfall Police Officer final night throughout a protest on the Rhode Island State Home the place a feminine topic was assaulted.”
“The officer has served on the division for 3 years and was positioned on administrative depart with pay this morning, pending a felony investigation and administrative evaluation,” the spokesperson added.
Journalist Invoice Bartholomew posted video from a Friday evening rally on the Rhode Island State Home steps displaying what seemed to be Lugo attacking Jennifer Rourke, considered one of Lugo’s Democratic opponents for the state Senate spot. Rourke, a reproductive rights activist, was additionally one of many individuals who organized the Friday evening rally in response to the Supreme Courtroom overturning Roe v. Wade.
“That is what it's to be a Black lady operating for workplace,” Rourke wrote in a put up sharing the video on social media. “I received’t surrender.”
Rourke advised The Boston Globe that the incident started when a person named Josh Mello who was livestreaming the occasion was surrounded by rally attendees and one particular person pushed him. Rourke stated she stepped in, however then an unidentified particular person hit Mello. Rourke stated she was telling the particular person to not hit Mello when Lugo struck her.
Lugo didn't instantly reply to a request for remark from HuffPost. However he advised The Windfall Journal that he was “not going to disclaim” the allegations.
“It was very chaotic, so I can’t actually let you know proper now,” he advised The Journal in an electronic mail. “Every thing occurred very quick.”
The Republican candidate additionally advised the Globe that within the second, he had been making an attempt to “shield somebody” being threatened by a much bigger group.
Rourke has stated that she might be urgent fees.
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