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Officers suspended due to off-duty actions in abortion protest

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The Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Road Island police officers accused of beating a woman in an abortion protest while off duty on Saturday while the Providence Police Department was conducting a criminal investigation. .. To his actions.

Road Island Political Cooperation Chairman and State Senator Candidate Jennifer Roke was beaten at least twice by officer Jean Lugo, who was also a challenger in the State Senate race, according to the Providence Journal. Told. ..

Lugo told the journal that he "did not deny" Punch's claim, but added that "everything happened very quickly."

"Unfortunately, as an officer who vowed to protect and serve our community, I realized that no one should see myself," he said. Said in an email to Boston Grove. "I intervened to protect someone a group of agitators were attacking."

Lugo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Associated Press.

A video of the event posted online shows a woman, two other individuals involved in a physical quarrel in protest, apparently just before Roke was seen being beaten. increase. The video does not show what happened between Lugo and Rourke before Rourke was attacked.

"I'm a black woman running for office," Roke told the journal. "I didn't need this. I'm not going to give up."

Providence Mayor Jorge Errolza tackled the conflict in a tweet, but said he was limited in what he could say.

"I watched the video, and it's very disturbing," Elorza said. "The person in charge is completely responsible."

At noon on Saturday, Lugo tweeted that he had dropped out of the race.

"I won't run for any office this fall," he said.

In a news release announcing the suspension, Providence Police said the suspended officers were three-year veterans.

The quarrel arose during a protest on Friday outside the Lord Island State Capitol of Providence. abortion.