Off-duty Rhode Island police officer suspended for allegedly punching woman at abortion protest

A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a woman at an abortion protest while he was off-duty was suspended from his job with pay Saturday while the Providence Police Department conducts a criminal investigation into his actions.

Democratic state Senate candidate Jennifer Rourke, who also serves as the Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman and a state Senate candidate, on Saturday morning tweeted video of the alleged assault. 

"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," she wrote.