Rhode Island District Court Judge Joseph Houlihan ruled on Wednesday that Providence Police Officer Jeann Lugo was acting properly and within his authority when he punched Senate Candidate Jennifer Rourke in the face at a State House rally protesting the United States Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June. Jean Lugo was running for the same Senate seat as Rourke, but dropped out after his arrest. Lugo, who often testifies on bills under consideration at the Rhode Island General Assembly, is a staunch opponent of abortion rights.

On Thursday Jennifer Rourke issued the following statement:

“Yesterday, I was deeply disappointed and hurt to learn that my former-GOP opponent, Jeann Lugo, was acquitted of assault charges in Kent County District Court at approximately 9:30am.

“The Rhode Island judicial system has not only failed me, it has failed us. The verdict handed down yesterday by Judge Joseph T. Houlihan of the Rhode Island District court sets a dangerous precedent. With this verdict, Judge Houlihan has asserted that law enforcement officers should be held to a lower standard than you and I. This verdict unilaterally decides that law enforcement officers should not be held accountable for their actions, no matter how violent or out of control they might be, simply because of their chosen occupation and the badge they wear.

“As a Black woman and a victim of physical assault from a police officer, I stand where many survivors have stood before–with our voices silenced and stories dismissed, abandoned by the state structures that were sworn to protect us and keep us safe.

“This verdict makes it clear that these structures are not intended to keep us safe, they are only intended to protect their own.

“It was not safe for me to stand on the State House steps at a peaceful protest for our reproductive rights.

“It was not safe for me to seek healthcare after an alleged assault without it bringing financial harm to my family.

“It was not safe for me to testify against my assailant, because the Rhode Island Judicial System mocks us by giving police officers a separate bill of rights than the rest of us.

“If we seek to make Rhode Island safe for all of us, we must ensure that violence is not tolerated from our law enforcement officers and they are held accountable for their actions when both on-duty and off.

“I strongly urge the city of Providence and the Providence Police Department to make the correct decision and not allow Officer Jeann Lugo to be reinstated to the Providence Police Force. He has made it clear that he cannot be trusted with a badge or power and will not hesitate to inflict harm.

“I would like to thank Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office for their hard work and dedication in this case and ask that the public please grant me and my family privacy as we seek to heal and move forward from this immense miscarriage of justice.”

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Previous to being assaulted, Jennifer Rourke spoke on the importance of reproductive rights before a crowd of around 1500 people:

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In response to the judge’s decision the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC released the following statement:

“Today, Jeann Lugo, a Providence Police officer and former candidate for RI Senate District 29 was acquitted on assault charges brought against him by Jennifer Rourke, stemming from an altercation at an abortion rights rally at the State House on June 25th, 2022.

“We at BLM RI PAC want to extend our deepest condolences to Jennifer Rourke, the alleged victim of this assault. No person, let alone a political candidate should have to fear or face physical violence, based on their political views. Along with her alleged physical assault, which was captured on camera, her rights to free speech and public demonstration were robbed from her, by an officer who swore an oath to protect those rights for all citizens. Jennifer had her day in court and had to face her alleged abuser, as daunting and stressful as that is. Unfortunately the justice system failed her, and we know at this time, her grief and trauma is indescribable.

“To Officer Lugo and the Providence Police Department: The actions committed on that day and the resulting trial and decision are abhorrent. Today is a clear example of how policing in our state and capital city needs to be examined under heavy scrutiny. To have an officer of the law, sworn to protect the rights of citizens in our community, attack a political figure exercising their right to free speech and public demonstration is a contradiction and stain on the validity of this officer’s employment and the Providence Police Department as a whole. We strongly urge the city of Providence and the Providence Police Department to think carefully, if and when they decide to reinstate Officer Lugo.

“As we continue to fight for the rights of the people in our state, another day goes by and another alleged victim of police brutality is left to fend for themselves. The justice system has again failed to protect those who are victims. We were left waiting and wondering what the outcome of this trial would be, as we were not allowed to receive any substantial information on the matter from Mayor Elorza or any high ranking officers at the Providence Police Department, due to active LEOBOR statutes that don’t allow them to speak on investigations of officers, even when criminal charges are being brought upon the officer. We wait for the day this is no longer. We wait for the day that victims of police brutality receive the justice they deserve. We wait for the police in our cities and towns are held accountable for their actions and remain transparent.“