PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a girl at an abortion protest whereas he was off-duty has now been charged in reference to Friday’s demonstration on the State House.
In a Saturday night information launch, state police stated Providence patrolman Jeann Lugo, 35, was charged with easy assault and disorderly conduct.
Jennifer Rourke, the chair of the progressive Rhode Island Political Cooperative searching for the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat, stated she had been punched within the face no less than twice by Lugo, who — on the time — was working for the GOP nomination for a similar seat. Providence police stated earlier Saturday that Lugo had been suspended from his job with pay pending an investigation, and Lugo subsequently ended his marketing campaign.
Friday’s protest exterior the Rhode Island State House in Providence was in response to the choice launched the identical day by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 determination that had supplied a constitutional proper to abortion. Video of the occasion posted on-line reveals a bodily altercation on the protest proper earlier than a girl showing to be Rourke is seen being hit. The video doesn’t present what occurred between Lugo and Rourke beforehand.
In a name with The Associated Press on Saturday, Rourke stated that as she was trying to escort a counterprotester who had agreed to depart the premises, one other bodily altercation broke out throughout which she was punched within the face a number of instances. She confirmed she pressed fees towards Lugo.
State police say Lugo turned himself in Saturday, was arraigned earlier than a justice of the peace after which launched. He’s due in court docket once more on July 8. Lugo didn’t reply to requests for touch upon Saturday and Sunday, however instructed the Boston Globe earlier than fees have been introduced that he “stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking.”
Lugo had additionally instructed the Providence Journal he was “not going to deny” the punching allegation, however added that “everything happened very fast.”
Rourke instructed the AP she had by no means interacted with Lugo earlier than and didn’t know he can be on the protest.
“I’m disappointed he chose to use violence in this way. As a police officer, he’s trained to deescalate. He did not do what he was trained to do,” she stated.
Rourke sought medical care and obtained a CT scan on Saturday afternoon. She stated she was doing OK however was experiencing lots of tenderness in her face and ringing in her ears.
Two different individuals have been additionally charged following the Friday occasion that briefly turned violent. Messages despatched to them by way of social media on Sunday weren’t instantly answered.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”