Latest news with #EricD.Batista
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
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Worcester City Manager names new inspection services commissioner
Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista on Monday named Nicholas Antanavica as the city's new commissioner of inspectional services. Antanavica will become commissioner effective May 12, succeeding David C. Horne, the current interim commissioner. 'Antanavica has a great deal of experience with permitting, and code enforcement and a proven track record of achieving municipal health, development, and sustainability goals,' said Batista in a press release. 'I look forward to working with him and seeing the new ideas and leadership he brings to the Inspectional Services Department. He will play a key role in major initiatives including the next phase of our Rental Registry and rodent control program.' Antanavica will be in charge of overseeing the inspectional service department, which oversees the city's building and zoning division, housing and health division and the licensing commission, according to the city's website. Prior to joining the City of Worcester Antanavica served as the Director of Inspectional Services for the City of Somerville, a position he has held since 2019, according to the press release from the city. 'I'm excited to join the City of Worcester and look forward to partnering with staff, residents, businesses, and developers to continue the great progress and improvements made over the past several years,' said Antanavica. Department of Justice ends 9-year oversight of Worcester schools Worcester man who killed and burned woman on rooftop asks for parole 'She made the world better': Funeral held for Molly McGovern, Rep. McGovern's daughter Read the original article on MassLive.
