Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj pleaded not guilty in Worcester court Wednesday to charges that she assaulted a police officer and interfered with law enforcement during a federal immigration operation in May.
The arraignment hearing lasted just a few minutes and culminated with a judge ordering Haxhiaj be released on personal recognizance. She’s due back in court on Sept. 15 for a hearing on her motion to dismiss the charges.
As she walked out of the courthouse, dozens of people waiting outside and holding signs applauded her. Haxhiaj thanked them for their support and said she’s “unapologetic in maintaining her innocence.”
“While it is disappointing and disheartening to invest time, effort and resources fighting these charges, it is absolutely nothing compared to Worcester families living in fear of being torn apart,” she said.
The charges stem from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in a residential Worcester neighborhood in May that turned chaotic. Haxhiaj was among about 30 people who confronted federal agents on Eureka Street as they took a woman into custody. Worcester police say they arrived at the scene to deal with crowd concerns.
Publicly released police body camera footage of the incident shows Haxhiaj pleading with federal agents not to take the woman into custody. At one point, a Worcester officer pulls Haxhiaj away from a federal immigration vehicle, and in the process, Haxhiaj’s hands make contact with the officer.
According to court records, Worcester police allege Haxhiaj pushed the officer in the chest and pulled their arm. Police Chief Paul Saucier has said the councilor was charged because anyone who assaults an officer or interferes with their response will be held accountable. Worcester police unions have also denounced Haxhiaj’s behavior.
Haxhiaj has defended her actions during the Eureka Street operation, saying she was trying to protect her constituents. The incident has galvanized activists who say Worcester officers inflamed tensions, continuing a pattern highlighted in an investigation into Worcester police by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Outside the courthouse Wednesday, Haxhiaj’s supporters wore t-shirts and pins expressing solidarity for her and immigrants. Frank Murphy, a local teacher, called Haxhiaj’s behavior courageous and said he opposed masked ICE agents snatching “people off the streets.” Leslie Linson added that the charges against her are “overblown.”
“She’s petite, and for them to say she’s attacking them is absurd,” Linson said. “I am sure those charges will be dropped.”
After the hearing, Haxhiaj’s comments to her supporters were brief. But she suggested the charges won’t sway her against continuing to fight for immigrants around Worcester.
“I will always, now and forever, stand up and stand by our immigrant brothers and sisters, our neighbors who are facing a horrific regime,” she said.
