WORCESTER—With city council on a brief hiatus during the city’s budget process and the city manager’s State of the City address, a group of residents gathered Tuesday evening on the rear steps of Worcester City Hall for what organizers called a “town hall meeting of the people, by the people, for the people.”
The event, organized by local activist David Webb, was open to all Worcester residents and livestreamed on Facebook by Manny Jae Media. Attendees were invited to speak on any issue they cared about, from local policy to international affairs.
“This is not a decision-making body,” Webb told the crowd. “The intent is for people to hear one another, connect over shared concerns, and hopefully organize around solutions.”
Topics ranged from the recent ICE raid on Eureka Street to homelessness, public safety, and city transparency.
One speaker proposed repurposing empty buildings as shelters or food distribution sites. Webb said many changes could happen outside traditional government channels.
“There are real estate people who could say, ‘Wait a second, I know this property, I have these resources, there are these sources of funding we can use,’” he said. “We do not need the bureaucracy of planning committees.”
Several residents submitted statements to be read aloud, including Victor Cruz, a longtime Worcester business owner, who said his group recently submitted a petition with more than 350 signatures calling for cleaner, safer city parks.
“Enough is enough,” Cruz’s statement read, alleging that hundreds of drug needles and dangerous items had been found in public parks in recent weeks. “It’s still acutely overlooked and ignored, as if safety doesn’t even matter.”
Other speakers raised national and international concerns. Resident Shannen Curtin called attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging attendees to get involved. “Children are starving, and Gaza is making a last, final call for us to take to the streets on their behalf,” she said.
Some speakers also directed criticism at the city’s handling of the recent events involving federal immigration agents and Worcester police. Grace Ross said the council’s delay in holding regular meetings has stalled petitions seeking more oversight of federal activity in the city.
“The Worcester police should be required to check the credentials and legality of any federal agent who enters the city,” Ross said.
Residents also expressed alarm over footage circulating on social media from the ICE-related arrest earlier this month.
“I open my phone to see an elected leader live, watching another elected leader get manhandled,” said a resident who identified herself only as Anna M. “This is not something that should be okay or normalized.”
Gordon Davis, speaking on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, said his group is pursuing legal action against the city regarding civil rights investigations.
“We have standing as a people,” Davis said. “All of us – Black, white, Native, Indian, Jewish, Arab – we all have standing when there is unequal protection under the law.”
Several attendees encouraged voter registration and civic engagement. Margot Barnet said the upcoming election could be a turning point. “A lot of people are fired up, and they want real change,” she said.
Others focused on unity.
“Together, we have a standing,” said lifelong resident Aloria Cappelletti. “If we can put our minds together and our actions together, I think we will make real change — not only in this city, but in this country.”
Webb said he was encouraged by the turnout and plans to continue holding these town halls every Tuesday.
“It’s about reminding people that they have a voice in Worcester — even if it isn’t listened to by the powers that be,” he said. “Sometimes the real change happens outside the usual systems.”
