Jeann Lugo allegedly assaulted Senate candidate Jennifer Rourke, a Rhode Island state senator candidate who was campaigning for office while off-duty.
Protests and rallies are continuing following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. At one abortion rights rally, Rhode Island state Senate candidate Jennifer Rourke was allegedly attacked by her GOP opponent, who has since dropped out of the race.
Jennifer Rourke is a Democratic state senatorial candidate for Rhode Island.
According to the most recent reports, her Republican opponent, Jeann Lugo, hit her in the face. The demonstration, which the WOMXN Project coordinated, featured a speech by Rourke. The organization’s board includes Rourke. A video of the entire event has been filmed and is quickly becoming viral on the internet.
In a tweet, the mayor claimed that the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) had restricted what he could say in public. He has seen the footage, and it is quite upsetting. Those responsible will be held fully accountable, the mayor said.
Who Is Jennifer Rourke From Rhode Island?
According to Rourke, her Republican opponent Jeann Lugo struck her numerous times in the face while she was defusing a situation with a counterprotester. Video of the event shows Rourke getting involved in a fight during the rally, then almost immediately receiving a blow to the face. After bringing himself in on Saturday afternoon, Lugo was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, according to Erik Yanyar of the Rhode Island State Police, who spoke to CNN.
Unfortunately, I am limited in what I can say publicly due to LEOBOR. With that said, I’ve seen the video and it’s immensely disturbing. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. https://t.co/IcnjBaNnGH
— Jorge Elorza (@Jorge_Elorza) June 25, 2022
Providence Officer Jeann Lugo Arrested: His Mugshot
A Providence Police Patrolman named Jeann Lugo, 35 was detained following a collaborative investigation between the two agencies on charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct, according to a statement from Erik Yanyar of the Rhode Island State Police, who spoke to CNN. Lugo was the off-duty officer engaged in this incident, the agency said in a subsequent tweet.
Following the rally, accusations of physical attacks that took place during the demonstration were made to the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police. Lugo announced his resignation from the state Senate contest in a tweet that is no longer accessible.
Learn About Jennifer Rourke’s Alleged Assault Video
I’m a reproductive rights organizer & State Senate candidate. Last night, after speaking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent – a police officer – violently attacked me.
This is what it is to be a Black woman running for office. I won’t give up.pic.twitter.com/ZREDP2dvXY
— Jennifer Rourke (@JenRourke29) June 25, 2022
The incident happened when rally-goers encircled a man who was live-streaming the event and asked him to leave. In the footage, Rourke can be seen requesting the man’s departure while wearing a pink shirt.
The person live-streaming the event is abruptly punched on the side of the head by a man in a green jacket. The man who was punched is instantly helped by rally participants, who push the man in the green jacket away from the victim. The footage appears to show Lugo approaching Rourke during the commotion and striking her in the face with his right hand before backing away.
Both the Providence police and the Rhode Island State Police received reports from Rourke on Friday night and Saturday, respectively. She was spotted at a nearby hospital, where she later told CNN in a statement that the punch had given her a headache and ringing in her ears. Jorge Elorza, the mayor of Providence, said he saw the video and found the situation “immensely troubling.”
