Worcester City Council Meetings Move Online Amid Protests
Worcester, MA – In light of recent public safety concerns, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista announced that the City Hall will close to the public at 5 PM on Tuesday, with all council meetings held exclusively over Zoom. The decision follows a chaotic weekend involving multiple protests against the detainment of a local mother by ICE.
The protests erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a woman originally from Brazil, leading to significant community unrest, including a "human ring" formed by residents to protect her. Tensions escalated when police arrested two individuals at the scene. Local leaders, including City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, have publicly criticized ICE’s actions and the police’s involvement in the incident.
Approximately 1,000 demonstrators rallied at Worcester Common in a show of solidarity against the operation. As a precautionary measure, Batista’s office emphasized the importance of active public engagement, facilitating remote participation for Tuesday’s City Council and Finance Committee meetings via Zoom.
Further inquiries on City Hall’s operational status later in the week remain unanswered, as officials prioritize safety and community engagement amidst ongoing tensions.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
