A Democratic politician says she was punched in the face by her Republican opponent during an abortion-rights protest on Friday.
A video of the incident appears to show Democratic candidate Jennifer Rourke stepping into an altercation between her Republican opponent, Providence Police officer Jeann Lugo, and another individual.
In the short clip, Rourke is almost immediately punched after stepping in.
The altercation came following the news that the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v Wade.
Lugo was off duty at the time, and was arrested by Rhode Island State Police on charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.
The Providence Police Department said Saturday that he was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending a criminal investigation and administrative review.
In a statement, Rourke said: "Last night, after speaking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent a police officer violently attacked me.”
Last week the Supreme Court robbed American women of their reproductive rights by overturning the Roe v Wade ruling from almost half-a-century ago.
In the week since, several companies have offered to pay their US employees' travel costs should they need to terminate their pregnancy.
And one British company is among the firms leading the way.
Digital strategy agency Croud has ensured all its US-based employees who are now forced to travel out of state to legally access abortion services will be fully reimbursed for their travel.
In a memo to all staff the company said: “As a business, we respect a person’s right to choose and make decisions that are appropriate for their lives and personal circumstances.
“On this basis, Croud is committing to support any employee who lives in a state with restrictive abortion laws, with travel costs to their closest non-restrictive state.”
The company, which is headquartered in London, has also offered to support any request for those affected with help and advice as well as providing “in-person therapists”.
The move came as US companies scramble to join Croud in their support of employees affected by the overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court last week.
They include victims of rape and incest.
The decision mirrored a draft opinion leaked last month showing the court was set to overturn the Roe v Wade ruling and the 1992 Planned Parenthood vs Casey.
It is the most consequential Supreme Court decision in decades and will transform women's reproductive health landscape in America.
In the future, abortion rights will be determined by individual states unless Congress acts.
Within minutes of the ruling being announced, thousands took to the streets throughout the states.
Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court.
Of the 50 states, 26 are to ban abortion.
