A Republican Rhode Island police officer running for the state's Senate has suspended his campaign after viral video showed him punching his Black female opponent at a demonstration protesting the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Providence, Rhode Island officer Jeann Lugo announced his departure from the race on his since deactivated Twitter account after he was arrested on simple assault and disorderly conduct charges for the incident.
A Rhode Island journalist posted slow-motion video of the attack and identified the victim as Lugo's opponent, political activist and organizer Jennifer Rourke, and the assailant as someone who "appears to be" Jeann Lugo.
Rourke subsequently reposted the video, seen below, and though she did not name him she confirmed that it was in fact Lugo who violently attacked her at the protest.
\u201cI'm a reproductive rights organizer & State Senate candidate. Last night, after speaking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent \u2013 a police officer \u2013 violently attacked me. \n\nThis is what it is to be a Black woman running for office. I won't give up.\n\nhttps://t.co/ZREDP2dvXY\u201d— Jennifer Rourke (@Jennifer Rourke) 1656167032
In the video, Lugo can be seen punching Rourke directly in the face and then shoving her several times as she reels backward.
Along with the video, Rourke wrote:
"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."
In an email to The Washington Post, Lugo claimed the incident occurred after he had "stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking" during the protest, which occurred in front of the Rhode Island State House.
Bartholomew's full video of the incident shows conflict between protestors and an increasingly aggressive and combative Lugo erupting into a fight, which Rourke appeared to be attempting to de-escalate when he he attacked her.
\u201cEXCLUSIVE- video of brawl at State House part 1\u201d— Bill Bartholomew (@Bill Bartholomew) 1656126540
The day after the attack, Lugo took to Twitter to announce his exit from his race against Lugo.
"I will not be running for any office this fall."
His exit from the race has done little to quell the shock and outrage the incident has inspired.
\u201c#JeannLugo punched his opponent a WOMAN in the face at a pro-choice rally! These are the types of people the @RNC @GOP have running for office! Oh & this woman punching lover is a cop! Go figure!\u201d— Sarah (@Sarah) 1656268163
\u201c@schemaly It\u2019s horrific how the ruling has seemed to give permission to white men and police to physically attack prochoice people, often women. It\u2019s like they\u2019ve been coiled and waiting to attack. It\u2019s all about domination and oppression.\u201d— Soraya Chemaly (@Soraya Chemaly) 1656194797
\u201c@Oogiansun5 @schemaly Judging by the laws, pretty much.\u201d— Soraya Chemaly (@Soraya Chemaly) 1656194797
\u201c@JenRourke29 @MuellerSheWrote \u201cI stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking,\u201d he said in a statement, trying to justify HITTING A WOMAN.\n\nSure doesn't seem that way from the video, dude.\u201d— Jennifer Rourke (@Jennifer Rourke) 1656167032
\u201cLife comes at you fast, when you're racist fascist TRASH!\n\nhttps://t.co/lafjT8xehR\u201d— Taneka Stotts Updates (@Taneka Stotts Updates) 1656196524
\u201chttps://t.co/G44JEDzzp4 these racist white folks have lost their GOT DAMN MINDS\u201d— Prentice Penny (aka Charcuterie Papi) (@Prentice Penny (aka Charcuterie Papi)) 1656250950
\u201cThe attack on Jennifer Rourke by her political opponent Police Officer\u00a0Jeann Lugo is\u00a0an act of extreme political violence. He must be\u00a0fully\u00a0held to account. If this behavior goes unchecked, it invites a level of violence into our politics that makes absolute lawlessness the norm.\u201d— Janai Nelson (@Janai Nelson) 1656260605
\u201cJennifer Rourke is a Black woman running for state senate in Rhode island and was assaulted by a republican state senate candidate/cop Jeann Lugo during a Roe V Wade rally. The republican movement is a terrorist movement. period\u201d— Jason (Recast T'Challa) (@Jason (Recast T'Challa)) 1656180405
\u201cJennifer Rourke--a progressive Black woman running for Rhode Island state senate--was punched in the face last night by her anti-choice cop Republican opponent. this is the kind of person we are funding when we talk about funding the police\u201d— \ud83c\udf28 \ud83e\udd91 primary everyone always (@\ud83c\udf28 \ud83e\udd91 primary everyone always) 1656165214
Lugo has since been released on his own recognizance after surrendering to state police and being arraigned. He is set to appear in court on July 8.
Rourke has said she intends to press charges against him.
