Katya Yindra
ICE agents and police faced resistance from neighbors and activists May 8 as the agents accosted a mother, her 16-year-old daughter, another relative, and a newborn baby on the streets of their neighborhood in Worchester, MA.
Neighbors confronted ICE, with a crowd of over two dozen people formed, some learning of the ICE arrest through a hotline tracking ICE activity. In an attempt protect her from ICE, a group of women surrounded the mother, locking arms.
Video footage shows agents tearing through the women’s blockade. The mother, who remains unidentified, was eventually dragged away and forced into an unmarked vehicle. As the car began to drive off, her 16-year-old daughter, who was holding the newborn baby, handed the baby to a neighbor then ran after it. Local police officers chased her down, tackled her, and slammed her to the ground. Two women attempted to intervene. One was pushed back and restrained by two officers.
The daughter was later charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest for defending her mother. One neighbor was arrested alongside the teen daughter, facing charges of interfering with a police officer and assault and battery on a police officer, after allegedly throwing water at them.
Massachusetts state law generally bars local police from assisting federal immigration enforcement. However, the Worcester Police Department defended its actions, stating that officers were called to assist a federal agent who was “surrounded by a large group” and alleged that people were putting hands on officers and federal agents. They claim the teenager’s actions posed a safety threat and justified her violent arrest.
This incident is part of a broader, growing confrontation between federal agents and communities across Massachusetts. Earlier in the week, another ICE operation in Waltham sparked similar unrest. In response to these events, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger has publicly called for restraint from “all sides.”
“Everybody just needs to take a step back,” said Coppinger, a former Lynn Police Chief. “We have to maintain the peace—not take sides, but maintain the peace so nobody gets hurt.” For Coppinger, posing as a “good cop”, maintaining peace entails allowing ICE agents to freely abduct the masses without resistance.
US Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley threatened legal action against anyone interfering with ICE operations. “This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks… I will not stand idly by,” Foley warned. “We will investigate any violations of federal law and pursue charges.”
Despite these threats, residents have not backed down. Over the weekend, hundreds gathered in protest, chanting “ICE out of Worcester now!” as they marched through city streets tailed by police cruisers.
Image: Police clash with neighbors gathered to defend the family from the ICE agents on May 8, Bill Shaner
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