A disquieting incident in Massachusetts transpired recently, wherein an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehension was interrupted by approximately 25 onlookers leading to a state of disarray. Video taken in Worcester on Thursday portrays local community members actively disputing the situation. Amplified protests of ‘not the mother!’ and ‘demanding a warrant!’ resounded as a woman was escorted into an SUV by uniformed officials from ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Onlookers attempted to block the SUV from leaving the area. Various females are visible in the footage, steadfastly placing their hands on the hood of the vehicle, expressing their objection vociferously. The situation intensified when a CBP official engaged in a physical tussle with a bystander attempting to remove her from the path of the SUV.
The noisy scene simmered down only after local law enforcement arrived on the scene, labelled the congregation as ‘unlawful’, and warned of potential arrests. The SUV, containing the detained woman, was eventually able to withdraw from the tumultuous surroundings.
Worcester’s Democratic mayor issued a statement in response to the incident. Stating their concerns, ‘Alarmed by today’s developments involving ICE, as a leader known for fostering a hospitable city, it’s heart wrenching to listen to news of a family being torn apart, more so as we approach Mother’s Day.’
The statement continued to highlight the anxieties of many city-dwellers, ‘The terror of painful family separations induced by ICE is the most dreadful ordeal for many in our city. I have been seeking a comprehensive account of the event. We were kept in the dark about the ICE operation. Plainly speaking, this is not acceptable in our community.’
Inquiries directed towards ICE seeking their views on the episode went unanswered. Amid the turmoil, the Worcester Police Department reported that they were called to the Eureka Street vicinity around 11:13 a.m in response to a report of people surrounding a federal agent.
The Police Department received a call indicating the presence of ICE officers at the scene who were refusing to provide their warrant to the gathered crowd. They dispatched officers in order to prevent any injury and to maintain peace.
Once the officers reached, they were greeted with a frenzied scene wherein multiple federal agents from different agencies were trying to apprehend a woman. Federal agents attempting to make an exit with the woman in custody were met with significant resistance from the crowd.
Individuals within the crowd were physically making contact with federal agents as well as Worcester officers in an effort to halt the detainment vehicle. The local police tried to keep the situation under control and assure the safety of all involved.
As the situation escalated, one particular scene emerged with a young woman holding a newborn, obstinately standing in front of the vehicle. She was cautioned about endangering the baby and asked to move. Subsequently, she handed the baby to another person.
As the vehicle started to depart, the young woman not only chased the moving SUV but also kicked its passenger side. Her act looked potentially dangerous as she seemed about to dart in front of the moving car, leading to her apprehension by officers.
The woman was later charged with child endangerment due to her reckless behavior, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and resistance to arrest. However, the infant was reported to be safe. As usual, there was a squabble between a CBP agent and a bystander just before the SUV left the scene.
Police reported an additional incident while they were detaining this woman wherein a third woman was aggressively pushing officers and apparently splashed an unverified liquid substance on them. This woman was also arrested and subsequently penalized with charges including Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, interpreted as the unverified liquid.
She was hit with a charge of disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer. This continues to be a serious incident and the Worcester Police Department confirmed that their probe is still ongoing. Further information or possible charges are to be determined.
The post ICE Apprehension in Massachusetts Spirals into Chaos appeared first on Real News Now.
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