A Worcester metropolis councilor has pleaded not responsible to a cost that she assaulted a police officer whereas attempting to dam the arrest of a legal unlawful alien in a chaotic showdown with federal brokers.
Metropolis Councilor Etel Haxhiaj says she is “resolute and unapologetic in maintaining my innocence” in reference to the early Could altercation that prompted Worcester PD to cost her with one rely every of assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with police.
“While it is disappointing and disheartening to invest time, effort and resources fighting these charges,” the councilor instructed supporters Wednesday, “it is absolutely nothing compared to Worcester families living in fear of being torn apart.”
“Worcester families belong together,” she added. “We will stand up and stand by our immigrant brothers and sisters, our neighbors who are facing a horrific regime.”
Haxhiaj’s feedback got here after not responsible pleas had been entered on her behalf throughout an arraignment at Worcester District Courtroom. Choose David P. Despotopulos launched the 45-year-old councilor on private recognizance.
Haxhiaj is due again in courtroom on Sept. 15 for a listening to on a movement to dismiss the costs, based on her docket.
Outrage sparked on Eureka Avenue the morning of Could 8, when federal brokers got here to the residential neighborhood, which Haxhiaj represents, to apprehend Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira, the goal of the ICE operation.
Ferreira De Oliveira, 40, initially of Brazil, is accused of hitting her pregnant daughter with a cellphone charger cable in an incident this previous February. The girl allegedly entered the nation illegally in August 2022 through the “previous administration’s open border policies,” based on an announcement from the Division of Homeland Safety.
Haxhiaj joined roughly 25 neighbors in responding to Eureka Avenue to assist assist the Ferreira De Oliveria’s household and try and defend the girl from being detained.
The councilor’s fees stem from the councilor allegedly pushing a police officer, recognized as Shauna McGuirk, within the chest and pulling the officer’s arm as she was making an arrest, based on an announcement of information filed by Worcester police Lt. John Bossolt.
Physique digital camera footage that the division launched every week after the conflict exhibits Haxhiaj grabbing at ICE officers and mouthing, “Don’t touch me!” She’s heard shouting, “Do not take her!” “You do not show any warrants, get out of our neighborhood.”
A day after the incident, the Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union demanded that the town carry out an investigation into Haxhiaj’s conduct, saying that it believes the councilor “broke her oath … and ethical laws.”
Haxhiaj broke her silence on the allegations in early June when she posted an announcement on her BlueSky account simply hours after the costs had been filed in courtroom, saying says she believes she did the “humane thing.”
“I am a mother, an immigrant and elected leader who attempted, along with other Worcester residents, to protect a traumatized young person, two mothers and an infant,” Haxhiaj acknowledged. “I did the humane thing to do in this situation, nothing more, nothing less.”
Massachusetts U.S. Lawyer Leah Foley additionally not directly reacted to the incident, sending a warning lower than every week later that her workplace would examine anybody who makes an attempt to intrude with ICE operations. Haxhiaj has not been federally indicted.
Resident Ashley Spring was additionally arrested through the incident on 4 counts of assault and battery on a police officer, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery with a harmful weapon (an unknown liquid substance).
A Worcester choose on Wednesday dropped the final cost on the idea that possible trigger couldn’t be discovered that the liquid, later decided to be water, was a harmful weapon, based on the Telegram & Gazette.
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