Worcester city councilor pleads not guilty to assaulting police during chaotic ICE interaction
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Supporters erupted in cheers as the councilor spoke, but police framed her actions differently in an incident report filed with the court.
The report said Worcester police on May 8 responded to the area of 36 Eureka St. for a report of a large group 'surrounding federal officers.'
Responding city officers learned federal agents had made an arrest and that members of the large group were yelling at them and 'interfering' with their efforts to safely leave the area with the person they'd placed into custody,
the report said.
The
incident report didn't identify the federal agencies involved in the arrest, but
Haxhiaj, the report said, was allegedly seen 'pulling the restraints of the arrested as they were being escorted to the transport vehicle.'
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She also allegedly 'continued to obstruct the federal officers as they attempted to leave the area,' the report said.
Worcester Police Officer Shauna McGuirk approached Haxhiaj as the councilor held onto the side mirror of the transport vehicle, telling her 'several times' to move away, according to the report.
It said Haxhiaj 'ignored several verbal requests' and allegedly pushed the officer away by 'striking P.O. McGuirk in the chest.'
A few minutes later as McGuirk was arresting someone else, the report continued, Haxhiaj 'approached P.O. McGuirk from the side and pulled at P.O. McGuirk's arm.'
That alleged act of civil disobedience 'interfered with the arrest and caused officers to divert their attention to Haxhiaj and away from the arrest,' the filing said.
The Globe
Outside court Wednesday, supporters of Haxhiaj cheered when she said she'd entered a plea of not guilty, according to the YouTube footage.
'I am resolute and unapologetic in maintaining my innocence,' Haxhiaj said. 'The overwhelming number of Worcester residents and Americans across the country are opposed to armed, masked men snatching our people off our streets and neighborhoods, terrifying mothers, children, fathers, families, and whole communities.'
She said that while it's 'disappointing and disheartening to invest time, effort, and resources fighting these charges, it is absolutely nothing compared to Worcester families living in fear of being torn apart.'
Haxhiaj
also said she would 'always, now and forever, stand up and stand by our immigrant brothers and sisters, our neighbors, who are facing a horrific regime.'
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Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 25.
Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at
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