Hundreds rally for release of woman arrested by ICE in Worcester

Hundreds of people gathered in Worcester on Sunday to rally for the release of a woman whose arrest by ICE on Thursday led to a chaotic scene during which multiple people were taken into custody Cellphone video shared online demonstrated the moment Ferreira de Oliveira was taken off the street and into ICE custody It s terrible watching that poor mother being dragged from her babies one attendee informed NEWS I just stand can t for it Another protestor reported We feel like an assault on any one of us is an assault on all of us De Oliveira s detention and the arrest of her teen daughter and a school committee candidate who observers say were trying to stop the federal agents have sparked outrage throughout the city and beyond Organizer Kylie Ariel Eemias noted ICE is behaving like a rogue agency outside of the rule of law right now and so if they neighborhood members couldn t have stopped them I think the Worcester police should have protected their own society rather than agents from ice But Homeland Measure Personnel say Ferreira de Oliveira is a violent criminal and illegal alien who they say is facing charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a pregnant victim Federal officers are also blaming a Worcester city councilor for pulling a political stunt and inciting chaos Another protest on Worcester Common is planned for Tuesday ahead of the City Council meeting