The Rhode Island prison officer who intentionally drove into a crowd of Jewish activists who were protesting mass deportation policies has been placed on leave as authorities investigate the assault, NBC News reports. “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right of all Americans,” the state attorney general’s office said. “It is unfortunate last night's situation unfolded as it did.”
That blame is solely on the officer, now identified as Capt. Thomas Woodworth, who sent at least two Never Again Action demonstrators to the hospital, including one with a broken leg, after he drove his truck into a crowd that was engaged in a peaceful act of civil disobedience in front of the Wyatt Detention Facility, which jails immigrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
We know this was intentional because the horrifying moment was captured on video: Activists screamed as others chanted, “Shame!” when Woodworth twice pushed into the group with his truck. One demonstrator, Jackie, said she narrowly avoided being run over by the tires but was thrown back by the truck when she stood up. She said she confronted a defiant Woodworth. “I looked him in the eye and told him, ‘You hit me,’ and he shrugged.”
Police wouldn’t take her statement. “The police officer said ‘okay,’ closed their book and walked away.” The Washington Post reported that other activists said “the driver eventually walked into the prison after other guards pepper-sprayed the protesters.” This violence happened to the glee of some: On state television Thursday, Fox News host Lou Dobbs ghoulishly praised Woodworth for trying to kill peaceful protesters.
This assault comes as violence against marginalized communities is being encouraged by the president himself. An ABC News report “identified at least 36 criminal cases where Trump was invoked in direct connection with violent acts, threats of violence or allegations of assault.” Some were threats against Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. This week, Trump encouraged more violence by demanding Israel ban the two Congress members from visiting the country, and falsely claiming they “hate Israel and all Jewish people.”
As for Woodworth, “Wyatt Detention Facility Warden Daniel Martin added that his office is investigating the incident and looking at how the facility responds to protest, NBC Boston reports.” But it’s clear this officer, who should be fired and face charges, “showed no hesitation and a complete disregard for human life,” Amy Anthony of Never Again Action said. It’s clear because we saw it with our own eyes.