Latest news with #Batista
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Worcester activist critical of city manager faces one-year city hall ban
A Worcester resident and activist has been banned from using city hall for one year, according to a letter from City Manager Eric D. Batista. On May 27, Batista issued a no-trespassing order to David Webb, a Worcester resident who has been a frequent critic of Batista's administration — accusing the city manager and his staff of not being transparent or truthful to the city's residents. The full letter can be read at the end of this story. In his no-trespassing order, Batista writes that Webb has approached employees both inside city hall itself and non-public workspaces in an 'intrusive and aggressive manner.' Webb says he plans to sue the city for this decision but he intends to comply with the order for now — saying that he will be arrested if he does not. The order reads that Webb engaged in behavior towards City Hall employees that Batista deems inappropriate — such as following them with a camera and phone 'inches away from their faces asking them for comments,' and jumping in front of an employee's vehicle, prohibiting them from moving and exiting the garage while 'shouting at them and recording the employee and their vehicle.' Webb pushed back on Batista's claims, saying that he did not record his camera inches from people's faces and said he did not jump in front of a vehicle. I was walking on the sidewalk and the city solicitor was exiting and I started recording — did not jump,' Webb said. Batista also wrote that over the past 12 months, Webb sent 502 emails to the city solicitor, 478 emails to Batista's chief of staff, 370 emails to the city clerk, 209 emails to the deputy city clerk, 1,071 to the public records access officer and 912 emails to the assistant city solicitor. He said that this 'barrage' of emails has made employees feel uneasy and fearful and has severely hindered them from doing their jobs. 'The direct contact, blind copying, and copying of several employees on most matters has become harassment and is severely hindering the ability of city employees to provide efficient services and perform job duties,' Batista wrote. For one year, Webb is barred from being inside City Hall, its offices and in areas next to the building, such as the garage, porticos, entryways, paths of the front and rear plazas and sidewalks, according to the letter. The letter reads that Webb must also send emails to the department's general email that are intended for inquiries. On numerous occasions, Webb has spoken out against both Batista and the city council, whether it's during the public comment period of a city council meeting or, more recently, at Batista's State of the City address, where he continuously shouted over the city manager until four Worcester police officers instructed him to leave. Webb told MassLive he believes the city manager is not transparent and that he is lying to the people of Worcester. 'The city manager serves to manage our image and cash flow rather than functionality as a municipality, and only having part-time representatives means that it's pretty much exclusively landlords, business owners and lawyers rather than the people this city needs to actually serve,' Webb said. Even though he is banned from City Hall, Webb still plans on being involved in Worcester politics. 'I'm going to make a video each afternoon before the council to help people know what's going on and do a Q&A about Worcester politics with people who want to get involved,' he said. 'Those who can't do, teach.' Full letter is below. If you can't read it, click here. Worcester restaurant serving food from Ghana seized by state due to unpaid taxes Worcester father of 4-month-old deported after ICE 'violated his rights,' attorney says Mass. Hidden Gems: Comfy classics and a mystery menu at Peppercorn's Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shadow of ICE arrest hangs over Worcester ‘State of the City' speech
Calls for unity, cooperation and resilience among Worcester residents dominated City Manager Eric D. Batista's State of the City speech on Wednesday, amid sporadic cries from protesters both inside and outside the Jean McDonough Arts Center. 'Last year, I told you we were in an era of opportunity, and if we took advantage of that, we could enter an era of accomplishment,' Batista said. 'We did take advantage, and a lot of what I'm going to speak about tonight are accomplishments.' Batista touted achievements such as increased housing units, more equity initiatives and increased road development. Even so, the city manager also highlighted growing division in the city, with the recent ICE arrests on Eureka Street immediately taking the forefront of his speech. The event, hosted by the city in collaboration with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (WRRB), featured a performance of the Star-spangled banner by Doherty student Nayeli Roman, and a poem recital by Oliver de la Paz, Worcester's poet laureate. WRRB Executive Director Paul Matthews welcomed the crowd, composed of several city council members and business leaders throughout the city, as well as members of the public. Mayor Joseph M. Petty introduced Batista. 'I know that many of you listening tonight, and residents across Worcester are in pain after the events on Eureka Street on May 8,' said Batista, within a minute after he took the podium at the center's BrickBox Theater. 'You are not alone in that pain.' The May 8 incident on Eureka street concerned the arrest of a woman whom ICE officials say resided in the country illegally, resulting in a crowd of about 30 people attempting to stop the arrest. The woman's daughter and a candidate for school committee were arrested in the ensuing response by Worcester police, who maintain they were only there to protect the peace and not assist in federal deportations. Showcasing his administration's executive order last week that set a policy concerning how the city will handle ICE arrests and the release of bodycam footage and 911 audio from the incident, Batista said that he is prepared to manage the city through any additional ICE activity. 'Today, our city stands on the brink of division,' Batista said. 'We cannot go back and change what happened, but we can learn from it and come together as a municipality and a community to determine how we respond moving forward.' However, a group of approximately a dozen protesters shouted within the venue and attempted to disrupt the address, with one protester displaying a banner reading 'BAUTISTA IS A LIAR' and another carrying a sign with a doctored image of Batista wearing an ICE tactical vest. At one point, a protester played audio of the deportation on repeat. Batista appeared stoic as he had to pause multiple times throughout his 40-minute speech amid shouts, at times speaking with a raised voice to drown out the commotion. Security guards escorted multiple people out without force, including one protester who walked onto the stage within 15 feet of Batista. 'You're making everything seem progressive and nice and safe for people, but our eyes are open and we understand that things are truly bad,' said the protester facing Batista, before being escorted to the reception area. David Webb, a Worcester activist who was the victim in a spray-paint assault at City Hall last year, continuously shouted over the city manager until four Worcester police officers instructed him to leave. Webb left without incident. In addition to the inside protesters, a group of about 15 people congregated outside city hall across the street from the venue, holding signs reading 'ICE OUT NOW' and chanting such as 'No ICE, freeze rent!' Despite protests, the speech largely continued as planned. Batista listed a number of priorities going forward into next year for the city, with him ranking public health and safety as Worcester's top priority, calling it a 'non-negotiable.' 'It is imperative that we build and maintain a public health and safety infrastructure based on trust and the needs of our city,' Batista said, acknowledging that last year's Department of Justice (DOJ) report — which found the city's police department used excessive force and engaged in illegal acts with vulnerable women — and the Eureka Street arrests have placed considerable backlash on local authorities. 'I know recent events and the release of the DOJ report in December have tested that trust,' Batista said. 'That is why it is more important than ever for our staff, from our police to our health experts to our engineers, to be out in the community, connecting with residents and building relationships,' Batisa said, eliciting boos from the protesters. The manager went on to say that violence, particularly by firearms, still continues to be an issue, showcasing the record-high amounts of murders in 2024. Batista referenced the police department's dedicated firearms unit, which itself has made over two dozen arrests since July of last year with a total of 90 firearms seized across the department, which Batista described as preventive policing. Additionally, Batista defended increased inter-agency cooperation as a success, stressing the work between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the police department in dealing with those experiencing crises. Batisa applauded this work, pointing out that the DHHS has seen an increase in overdoses and poor mental health within the city, congratulating the organization on its outreach programs with what he said were 14 different youth programs within the city. The manager affirmed his commitment to traffic accident prevention initiatives, calling back to his declaration of a 'Road Safety and Traffic Violence Crisis' last August following a series of fatal pedestrian impacts, several of which where children were the victims. Batista mentioned the development of the citywide 25 mph speed limit implemented at the beginning of this year, as well as over 20 speed bumps installed since the first phase of the Vision Zero program began, as well as what he calls the 'complete streets' model, which aims to make roads safer for all modes of transportation. 'We envision a Worcester where workers can bike to offices, students can walk to school, and visitors can easily navigate all the wonderful things our city has to offer, without having to worry about the harm inflicted by a speeding car or an unsafe sidewalk,' Batista said. Other improvements were highlighted in education, such as the completion of the new Doherty Memorial High School, and over $10 million in debt reserves for future school projects, such as the planned Burncoat High School rebuild. Batista went on to discuss the issue of housing availability and prices in Worcester. The city will continue to add population by 2033, with at least 12,000 new units to be constructed by then, according to Batista. By 2050, the city population will surpass 230,000 residents, Batista said. Bastis touted 571 new housing units over the past year as a success, stating that they came from trust fund projects, zoning policy changes, and the community preservation program. About $376 million in new residential construction has been added within the past few years, and with increased development, 14,000 new jobs should be added by 2034, Batisa said. 'That is something we can all be proud of,' the manager remarked. The issue of homelessness was also tackled, with the manager stating that the homeless shelter at the former Registry of Motor Vehicles on Main Street and its inclusion of a women-only shelter last winter have shown that the city takes the issue seriously, which Batista says he will work with assistance organizations to attempt to keep the shelter operating permanently. Other pledges were made in environmentally friendly initiatives, with multiple plans in development to treat pollution in water and litter throughout the city, with the manager making note of the plan to install over 150 trash bins across the city by this summer, in addition to planting more urban trees. The Zero Waste Master Plan, Clean Street Collective, and the Green Worcester Plan are a part of these measures. 'As you may have noticed, we love plans,' Batista quipped. Small businesses were also listed as another one of the city's priorities, including implementing relaxed permitting allowing for more streamlined event planning, as well as prioritizing job fairs to increase the city job pool. Also mentioned was the plan to convert part of the former Norton Company lot to new development is expected to add over 1,000 jobs to the city, Batista said. Keeping with Batista's theme of unity, the manager made special note of the city's diversity, equity and inclusion programs, such as committing to a pay equity review for municipal employees and a fully staffed equity office, a position long marred by attrition troubles. Further, Batista applauded the city's sanctuary status for transgender individuals as a success. 'It is easy to uphold your values when no one is questioning them, but it shows your true character if you can still uphold them in the face of potential backlash,' Batista said. Worcester councilor deposits large donation haul after confronting police at ICE raid Worcester Diocese to close 2 churches, merge 3 parishes Worcester schools candidate arrested at ICE raid ruled ineligible to be on ballot Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE protestors escorted out by authorities after interrupting Worcester State of the City address
A handful of protestors were escorted out of the Jean McDonough Arts Center for interrupting city manager Eric D. Batista's State of the City Address Wednesday night. Roughly a dozen in the crowd loudly criticized Batista while he initially addressed the events of May 8th and the recent release of police body cam footage. 'I'm asking that we listen to each other and treat each other with respect,' said Batista through yells from the crowd. ' Worcester Police responded to Eureka Street on May 8th after ICE agents were surrounded by residents during a detainment. Batista added, 'We cannot go back and change what happened. But, we can learn from it and come together... Whether we like it or not, Worcester does not exist in its own bubble. The events of May 8th made that clear.' On Friday, his office released the body cam footage and also issued an executive order clarifying the involvement of city resources with federal operations. The executive order states that city police and resources will not go towards federal operations, and promised police will assist anyone in Worcester regardless of immigration status. Signs and shouts rained down on the city manager during his address. About four in the crowd were escorted out by police for the disruption. One was led out by the police. 'ICE off our streets,' chanted protesters inside the theater. About a dozen protesters outside on Franklin Street chanted, 'Worcester PD's not our friend.' Those removed from the theater waited for Batista outside, but their questions weren't answered as he was escorted away. 'ICE out of Worcester now,' David Webb yelled at the city manager, leaving on Wednesday. Webb was escorted out of the address by police moments before. He finished, 'He is not a person from Worcester anymore.' During the speech, Batista acknowledged the challenges the city faces – but emphasized it's a time for unity and a collective effort to safeguard the city. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Did Batista Say About Hollywood That Changes Everything About Pro Wrestlers?
For a time, Batista was one of the biggest draws in the WWE. The 6'4" chiseled powerhouse was a fixture in the main event scene, positioned on the same tier as Randy Orton and John Cena. Everything from his catchy entrance theme to his mid-match shaking of the top rope while stomping his foot, he had the aura needed to be a superstar and helped usher the company through the middle and end stages of the "Ruthless Aggression" era. Advertisement Like Orton and Cena, Batista could have spent decades in the squared circle but decided to take his talents to Hollywood, with roles in everything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the Dune franchise. In a recent media availability, Batista hinted at why he was so comfortable hanging up his boots prematurely, and it might not be for the reason you think. Dave BautistaGetty Images During an interview with Film Inside, Batista expressed the truth about performing in WWE and on the silver screen. "WWE is like nothing else; they're not only durable people, but it's just the hardest grind that I could ever imagine," Batista said. "Being in Hollywood and being on a film set, long hours, but compared to the grind of being a professional wrestler, it's just a cakewalk. It's night and day. I'm in this business, and I find it hard to relate to people who are just always unhappy on set and always complaining about something. I don't relate to that at all." When Batista was on top, the WWE scheduling was far different. Outside of television tapings, there were multiple house shows each weekend, plus monthly pay-per-views, meaning most wrestlers were competing 140+ times a year. Advertisement Now the promotion has axed nearly all of its live events, and wrestlers routinely are afforded time off to refresh and heal. The current regime has sliced the required dates in the ring by nearly half. Many of the marquee names even have tour buses to ease the wear and tear from life on the road. With these current conditions, Batista perhaps would've switched careers a bit later, but with his current trajectory and endless success, it's hard to say he regrets how everything played out. Regardless, his endorsement should help paint a better picture around the grueling nature of professional wrestling, and help with the businesses' mainstream acceptance. Related: John Cena Reveals His Top 3 Career Rivals Related: John Cena Reveals Origin of His Iconic Catchphrase
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Worcester releases body cam footage of woman's arrest by ICE agents
The city of Worcester released police body camera footage and audio files recorded by officers during the arrest of a Brazilian woman by federal agents, with the city manager issuing an executive order on how the Worcester Police Department (WPD) responds to federal arrests in the city. The footage and audio were uploaded online into a playlist on the city's YouTube channel on Friday. The first video plays five 911 calls made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents requesting police assistance and calls from people at the scene. The agents were in the process of detaining Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, 40, of Brazil, at Eureka Street on May 8. In the first video with the 911 call, an ICE agent told a dispatcher that 'we have a crowd surrounding an officer, and he's requesting immediate assistance... Can you send units, please?' The agent said around 25 people were surrounding the other agent. Another recording pleads for police to intervene in the ICE arrest, with the dispatcher telling the person that police were on their way. Among the calls was one from a person 'on behalf of' City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj of District 5. 'We need [Worcester Police Chief Paul] Saucier here now,' the person said. '...We need Chief Saucier. Get Chief Saucier, please... I need him here right now.' The other three videos show body camera footage taken by Worcester police officers Shauna McGuirk, Paul Hanlon and Juan Vallejo after they arrived at the scene. Each video is between 10 to over 25 minutes long, while the five recorded calls are almost six minutes altogether. Along with releasing the footage and 911 call from that day, City Manager Eric Batista issued an executive order to establish 'guidelines for local response and involvement in federal enforcement of immigration laws and operations including investigations and civil detainments performed by ICE officers,' according to a statement from Batista's office. 'Enforcement of immigration laws is within the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the municipality and as such, municipal resources shall not be used toward that end,' the city statement continued. 'The municipality and the WPD are committed to promoting safety in the community regardless of immigration status.' Worcester police are also requesting that the court dismiss the case against Ferreira-De Oliveira's 17-year-old daughter, who was arrested by officers on May 8, Saucier said in the same statement. To this request, Saucier said in the statement that 'it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable.' 'No person will be arrested or held by the WPD solely on the basis of a federal civil immigration detainer, including extending the length of detention by any amount of time once an individual is released from local custody, or before being transferred to court or admitted to bail,' Batista's office said. In his statement, Batista said he recognizes 'the significant impact this incident has had on our community,' that it 'has created division and caused trauma to the individuals directly involved and to the greater community at large.' 'It is my hope that releasing all of the body-worn camera footage and establishing a clear policy on how municipal employees are to engage with ICE agents is the first step in repairing any unintentional harm and can help determine how, as a community and a municipality, we respond in these situations,' Batista said. 'I want to be undeniably clear that our police department will never target individuals based on their immigration status. The body-worn camera footage from the first responding officer will show that the target of ICE's operation was already detained by federal agents prior to WPD's arrival and that WPD did not assist ICE with the civil arrest.' He called the footage 'of a family being torn apart is disturbing to watch,' but the city cannot step in to prevent federal officials from detaining a suspect. Batista called on the community to come together and support each other, 'and not allow external forces to divide us. Worcester has always and will always be a welcoming and inclusive city.' Releasing the footage and audio is intended to ensure 'transparency and provide a clearer perspective of the incident,' Saucier said in the statement. Doing so is meant to 'illustrate the chaotic nature of the situation as experienced by the officers who had to make rapid, critical decisions in the moment to ensure the safety of everyone on the scene.' The day before Ferreira-De Oliveira was detained, ICE agents stopped her 21-year-old daughter's partner after he honked at a car, which 'turned out to be an undercover ICE car, and agents decided to arrest him,' according to the daughter, Augusta Clara Moura, 21, in the description of a GoFundMe campaign. ICE agents came to Clara Moura's home and told her to sign immigration papers and 'demanding I return my partner's car,' she wrote. Clara Moura, her baby and her 17-year-old sister left the house in a car and ICE agents stopped them and told her she was under arrest. Clara Moura called Ferreira-De Oliveira to pick up her baby when ICE agents turned to the mother and arrested her, Clara Moura wrote. Her 17-year-old sister, carrying the baby, stood in front of the car to stop it before she handed off the baby and tried to kick the passenger side door, Worcester police previously said. Officers pushed her to the ground and arrested her for reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, police said. Police also arrested Ashley Spring, who was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers. Spring was released on her own personal recognizance and is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on June 23. Clara Moura's sister has since been released from custody and is now with family friends, along with Clara Moura, Clara Moura's baby and another sister who is also a child. Ferreira-De Oliveira, who comes from Brazil, is currently being detained at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I., according to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). Worcester to release body camera footage of police response to ICE arrest ICE must show more integrity in deportation arrests (The Republican Editorials) Boston Puerto Rican restaurant opens second location in Worcester Read the original article on MassLive.
