Latest news with #WorcesterSchoolCommittee
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Worcester police knew ‘unknown liquid' sprayed during ICE arrest was water
Worcester police charged a woman they arrested during a chaotic demonstration following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, after saying she sprayed them with an 'unknown liquid.' But body camera video released by the department shows that they already knew it was just water. On May 8, Worcester School Committee candidate Ashley R. Spring was arrested by Worcester Police Officers on Eureka Street while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a 40-year-old Brazilian mother of three at the same location. She was charged on May 9 with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — the 'unknown liquid' — along with charges of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers. Lt. Sean Murtha of the WPD told MassLive on Saturday he is not aware of the department dropping any of Spring's charges despite police saying the liquid was water in the video. The street had erupted into chaos that morning as more than 30 people, including Spring, confronted, yelled and demanded to see a warrant for the arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira. Worcester Police Officers were also at the scene, and they arrested Spring along with Ferreira-De Oliveira's daughter. Worcester officials released the body camera footage from the incident following pressure from the public, including a rally during which residents accused Worcester officials of assisting ICE in arresting Ferreira-De Oliveira. 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. Police officers saw Spring push and shove other officers trying to arrest the daughter, according to a police report. 'Officers also observed Ashley directly point at and spray an unknown liquid in a bottle at officers that were on duty attempting to conduct their job,' the report read. But Officer Juan Vallejo, who was the one who said he was sprayed, said in the video it was just water. Vallejo was present on Eureka Street and was involved in the arrest of Ferreira-De Oliveira's daughter. Footage and audio from Vallejo's body camera, which shows him and other officers surrounding the daughter and moving her to the ground, was made available to the public on May 16. The footage and audio of two other officers, Officer Patrik Hanlon and Officer Shauna McGuirk, were also made public on Friday and uploaded onto the city's YouTube page. During the arrest, an officer yells, 'You're under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.' Following the arrest of the daughter, Vallejo turns his attention to Spring, who is standing behind him and being handcuffed by another officer. At the 2:30-mark in the video, Vallejo approaches Spring and points his finger at her, listing charges for another officer: 'Disorderly, disturbance, and she sprayed me in the face with water.' As he moves away from her, the audio catches Spring saying, 'It was water.' Footage from Vallejo and McGuirk, who was also seen arresting the daughter, did not show Spring approach the officers. Judge Janet McGuiggan entered a not-guilty plea on Spring's behalf. Spring was released on her own personal recognizance and is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on June 23. Following the arrest, Spring appeared at a protest in front of City Hall on May 13, calling out the actions of ICE, the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and the city's political leaders. She criticized the city hall being closed to the public that night, the same night the protesters planned to attend the city council meeting before it was switched to a virtual format. 'While they may be afraid, we are not afraid,' Spring said of Worcester's leaders. The city council meeting switched formats after the rally was announced. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said city officials received 'threats of violence.' The daughter of the mother was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to the WPD. Following her arrest, she was released from custody and is currently staying with family friends along with her 21-year-old sister, Augusta Clara Moura, Clara Moura's 3-month-old son, and her other sister, who is also a minor. In a statement on May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced that the WPD is requesting that the court dismiss the case against Ferreira-De Oliveira's daughter. Even though the department wishes to have the case against the daughter dismissed, Saucier noted, however, that 'it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable.' City Manager Eric Batista also announced Friday an executive order on how the WPD responds to federal arrests. '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,' according to a city statement.'The municipality and the WPD are committed to promoting safety in the community regardless of immigration status.' As for Ferreira-De Oliveira, she is currently being detained at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I., according to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). Late home run lifts Buffalo past Worcester Red Sox Mass. weather: Severe weather, chance of tornado, hail this afternoon Smashed windows, street abductions: ICE gets attention with Mass. arrests Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Living in fear': Daughter of woman taken by ICE in Worcester sets up GoFundMe to support family
The daughter of a woman who was detained by federal agents in Worcester last week, which has led to protests and tensions in the city, created a GoFundMe campaign to support her and her family. Augusta Clara Moura, 21, who set up the fundraiser, explained what happened leading up to the incident on Eureka Street on May 8. That day, her mother, Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, with Clara's sister and Worcester School Committee candidate Ashley Spring both arrested by Worcester police in connection with the incident. 'Everything began the day before, when ICE arrested my partner [Samarone Alves Ferreira-De Souza] — the father of my 3-month-old son — while he was driving to work," Clara Moura wrote. 'He had committed no crime. His only 'mistake' was honking at a car that had cut him off. That vehicle turned out to be an undercover ICE car, and agents decided to arrest him.' Read more: Honking at undercover ICE car set off Worcester arrest firestorm, family claims Ferreira-De Souza is currently being held at the Pine Prairie Correctional Facility in Pine Prairie, Louisiana, according to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). On the morning of May 8, 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. 'Since I was with my baby, I called my mother to come take my son,' Clara Moura wrote. When Ferreira-De Oliveira arrived, ICE agents detained her, her daughter continued. At 11 a.m. that day, Ferreira-De Oliveira was placed in a car in the middle of the streets, according to Jill Phillips of Worcester, who was at the scene. Worcester police were called as people surrounded ICE agents and yelled, 'Where is the warrant?' Ferreira-De Oliveira's other daughter, carrying Clara Moura's baby, stood in front of the car and tried to stop it, police said in a previous statement. She handed the baby to another woman before she ran up to the car and kicked the passenger side door as it drove away. Officers pushed her to the ground and arrested her for reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. 'They even tried to take my baby from me, but thanks to neighbors who recorded and protested, they backed down,' Clara Moura wrote in the GoFundMe description. Andrew Georges Lattarulo, Clara Moura's lawyer, told MassLive on Thursday that ICE threatened to arrest Clara Moura and her 17-year-old sister, an account that matches exclusive reporting from Rolling Stone Magazine, which reported that Clara Moura and her sister were used as 'bait' for ICE to arrest their mother. 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). 'Now I am living in fear,' Clara Moura wrote. 'I'm staying with friends, unable to return home or retrieve any of my belongings or my baby's things. I cannot work, and I'm struggling to survive. Please consider supporting me and my family during this nightmare.' So far, the fundraiser set up on Wednesday has received two donations totaling $70, with a $45,000 goal. Donations will go toward food, clothes, shelter, legal fees, bail 'and other urgent expenses,' Clara Moura wrote. 'No amount is too small. Your support means the world right now.' 'Thank you for standing with us,' Clara Moura wrote at the end of the GoFundMe's description. Honking at undercover ICE car set off Worcester arrest firestorm, family claims GoFundMe created to support family of boy killed in Boston school bus crash GoFundMe raises money to send body of construction worker killed in Mass. to Ecuador Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Conduct that should be vilified': US Attorney decries local attempts to obstruct ICE operations
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley on Wednesday decried local attempts to obstruct ICE operations, following reported assaults on law enforcement officers in a Worcester neighborhood last week. 'The interference with ICE operations around Massachusetts has been disturbing, to say the least,' Foley said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. 'This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks. It is conduct that should be vilified rather than glorified,' Foley said. 'I will not stand idly by if any public official, public safety officer, organization or private citizen acts in a manner that criminally obstructs or impedes ICE operations,' Foley said. Foley's comments came days after two people, a juvenile and a Worcester School Committee candidate, were arrested after chaos erupted and police officers were assaulted on Eureka Terrace in Worcester when federal agents detained Brazilian national Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira, 40. Ferreira de Oliveira is in the country illegally and faces previous criminal assault charges, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed to Boston 25 News. Worcester police arrested Ferreira de Oliveira back on Feb. 1 on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a pregnant woman, ICE officials said. Worcester Police said officers responded to Eureka Terrace around 11:15 a.m. Thursday after learning of25 people reportedly surrounding a federal agent. Cell phone video taken outside in the Worcester neighborhood showing ICE agents detaining Ferreira de Oliveira, and a crowd of people surrounding the officers, has garnered national attention. Worcester police officers and federal agents 'were threatened, abused and even assaulted on scene,' Worcester Police Patrol Officers' Union Local 911 President Thomas Duffy said in a statement released Friday night. Also Friday, the police union called for an ethics investigation into City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, accusing the local councilor of using her elected position to incite aggression towards police officers. 'Regardless of political opinions or views, city officials should never condone the assault of an officer and flat-out disregard to the point of violent opposition, the authority of police to maintain safety and public order,' Duffy said Friday night. Haxhiaj's office said Monday that she will not comment at this time. Earlier Friday, during a press conference with other councilors, Haxhiaj said: 'The message for ICE is: Get out of our city.' Foley, the U.S. Attorney, said Wednesday that her office 'along with our federal partners, will investigate any violations of federal law and pursue charges that are warranted by such activity.' 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
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chaos erupts as crowd swarms ICE agents detaining woman in Massachusetts
Two people were arrested and a family ripped asunder in Worcester, Massachusetts, when a crowd swarmed federal immigration agents as they snatched a woman ahead of Mother's Day. One of those arrested was the woman's 16-year-old daughter, who was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after she tried to block the vehicle her mother was in, while cradling her baby niece in her arms. Also arrested was Worcester School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, 38, who allegedly threw an unknown liquid at an officer, among other offenses. Both were later released, the Boston Herald reported. About a thousand people gathered at the city green on Sunday to protest the arrest and the manner in which it was carried out. More rallies are set for Tuesday, WCVB-TV reported. The chaos erupted Thursday when more than two dozen people surrounded agents as they apprehended the woman, whom ICE later identified as 'violent criminal illegal alien Ferreira de Oliveira.' Worcester police said officers were there to deescalate the situation, but bystanders said they couldn't tell whether cops were protecting the public or the agents. 'We saw both federal and Worcester officers descend on a family with a level of aggression that you would use when apprehending someone who is known to be dangerous and carrying weapons,' Fred Taylor of the Worcester NAACP told WBZ-TV, while another said that the agents, some masked, refused to produce a warrant. The mom being detained was 'truly screaming,' witness Dali RaRocha told WBZ. 'Those are the screams I have truly engrained in my ears right now.' ICE claimed de Oliveira had been 'arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a pregnant victim' and blamed 'the previous administration's open border policies' for her August 2022 entry into the U.S. Journalists at scoured public records but could not find court filings to support ICE's claim. Both ICE and the local police union called out City of Worcester district council member Etel Haxhiaj, claiming she had incited the crowd. Haxhiaj was seen chastising officers for their treatment of the teen and initially putting herself between the agents and the woman being taken away. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty directed the city manager and police chief to draft a policy spelling out how city officials should interact with ICE, reported. 'As someone who prides themselves on leading a welcoming city, I am devastated to hear about the separation of a family, especially with Mother's Day around the corner,' Petty told WBZ after the incident. "The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city.' _____
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chaos erupts as crowd swarms ICE agents detaining woman in Massachusetts
Two people were arrested and a family ripped asunder in Worcester, Massachusetts, when a crowd swarmed federal immigration agents as they snatched a woman ahead of Mother's Day. One of those arrested was the woman's 16-year-old daughter, who was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after she tried to block the vehicle her mother was in, while cradling her baby niece in her arms. Also arrested was Worcester School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, 38, who allegedly threw an unknown liquid at an officer, among other offenses. Both were later released, the Boston Herald reported. About a thousand people gathered at the city green on Sunday to protest the arrest and the manner in which it was carried out. More rallies are set for Tuesday, WCVB-TV reported. The chaos erupted Thursday when more than two dozen people surrounded agents as they apprehended the woman, whom ICE later identified as 'violent criminal illegal alien Ferreira de Oliveira.' Worcester police said officers were there to deescalate the situation, but bystanders said they couldn't tell whether cops were protecting the public or the agents. 'We saw both federal and Worcester officers descend on a family with a level of aggression that you would use when apprehending someone who is known to be dangerous and carrying weapons,' Fred Taylor of the Worcester NAACP told WBZ-TV, while another said that the agents, some masked, refused to produce a warrant. The mom being detained was 'truly screaming,' witness Dali RaRocha told WBZ. 'Those are the screams I have truly engrained in my ears right now.' ICE claimed de Oliveira had been 'arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a pregnant victim' and blamed 'the previous administration's open border policies' for her August 2022 entry into the U.S. Journalists at scoured public records but could not find court filings to support ICE's claim. Both ICE and the local police union called out City of Worcester district council member Etel Haxhiaj, claiming she had incited the crowd. Haxhiaj was seen chastising officers for their treatment of the teen and initially putting herself between the agents and the woman being taken away. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty directed the city manager and police chief to draft a policy spelling out how city officials should interact with ICE, reported. 'As someone who prides themselves on leading a welcoming city, I am devastated to hear about the separation of a family, especially with Mother's Day around the corner,' Petty told WBZ after the incident. "The fear of ICE tearing a family apart is the worst nightmare of so many in our city.' _____
