SURJ Worcester - Showing Up for Racial Justice

Tomorrow, Tuesday, 3/10

The BIG VOTE is FINALLY happening.

We're continuing our push to have the City Council reject the proposed taxpayer subsidy/TIF to the Menkiti Group. We hope as many members as possible can make this rally and crucial meeting.

* * NO MORE TAXBREAKS TO DEVELOPERS THAT ALLOW TAX FRAUD * *

5:00PM Rally in front of Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St.
6:15PM City Council Meeting

SURJ Worcester expresses solidarity with Councilor Khrystian King and the Worcester NAACP in response to the accusations and demands made by the New England Benevolent Police Association Local 911. The NEBPA’s statement that Councilor King is “race-baiting” in his response to the reality of racism in ICE’s operations is deeply offensive. The reality of racism is not up for debate.

Seeking police accountability is not radical nor evidence of anti-police bias. The NEBPA’s demand that Councilor King recuse himself from police-related matters is a dangerous threat to free speech and to long-overdue accountability in Worcester. We join and amplify the decades-long chorus of demands for mechanisms to hold publicly funded institutions, including the police, accountable to the public.

Link to NEBPA, Worcester NAACP, and Counilor King’s statements: https://whatsupworcester.com/union-councilor-and-naacp-issue-statements-amid-worcester-policing-debate/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQMdIZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJadXd5R1NpbnRLN2kxWm41c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkqAPr-CQOLuy5dvIQ4NtqUVRrgGS-3DseBOcfLEytu2Uq77XNDhmLJilDc8_aem_Wohz3HX6EvzytH7bCWmtFg

Union, Councilor, And NAACP Issue Statements Amid Worcester Policing Debate Public debate surrounding policing and accountability in Worcester intensified this week after statements were issued by the Worcester Police union, Vice Chairman Khrystian King, and the Worcester Branch of the NAACP. Here’s a breakdown of what each party said and what it means for the ongoing dis...

This case is going to set the precedent for standing up to ICE in Massachusetts. It's so important that we share these details far and wide and show up for Etel Haxhiaj in every way we can.

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/892554/

Calls to Action

Like ICE, the Worcester Police Department has unchecked power. Despite decades of advocacy, particularly from BIPOC communities, WPD still lacks civilian oversight and accountability.

Ways to take action:
> Call or email Mayor, City Manager, and City Councilors (https://www.worcesterma.gov/city-council/councilors) reiterating calls from BFT - Black Families Together - Worcester and Worcester NAACP for Civilian Review Board (CRB)
> Show up or call in to City Council meeting 1/13/26 at 6:30 pm and speak to tabled item 21i (DOJ report) in support of CRB
> Demand special prosecutor Steven Gagne ([email protected]) drop charges against Etel Haxhiaj and Ash Spring
> Donate to support This Week in Worcester’s legal fees: https://www.gofundme.com/f/defend-worcesters-press-freedom

For more information:
October 2025 WRRB report on CRB:https://www.wrrb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WRRB-Overdue-for-Civilian-Oversight-October-14-2025.pdf
December 2024 DOJ report: https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1378896/dl
January 2024 Racial Equity Audit: https://worcesterma.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=18358&type=2

Call to action from Committee to Elect Jermoh Kamara:

RECOUNT TEAM
Join Us as a Recount Observer for the Recount Process.

With 26,126 ballots cast in Worcester's Citywide race on Nov 4th, the unofficial results currently show a margin of just 23 votes in the At-Large race. Given that extremely narrow difference, the CTE Jermoh Kamara requested for a recount to ensure that every vote is accurately counted and that every voter’s voice is heard.

As we move into the recount, we are seeking volunteers who can assist by observing the hand vote-counting process. Observers help protect the integrity of the recount by being present, paying attention, and ensuring everything is done properly.

If you can spare some time, your presence would mean a lot and make a real difference.

Thank you for standing with us—sign up to volunteer.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy02J4f_5TvLstuGb9ZMaY2DBTSDDSxz6DMvY_4oijnalqGA/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawOJ3u9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKSlpMckxZV0toR3RPWHRQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhmLbj7VnzWBYX8KHybsKI2-9WytKl5Wtc_wXW1uKWczrqwlUPSFDljLqCeI_aem_7sFcVB-egXXI71bOYfsNXw

RECOUNT TEAM- CTE Jermoh Kamara Join Us as a Recount Observer for the Recount Process. As we move into the recount, we are seeking volunteers who can assist by observing the vote-counting process. Observers help protect the integrity of the recount by being present, paying attention, and ensuring everything is done properly. If yo...

Thanks to The Village for organizing and hosting this gathering.

Peace community, We hope everyone has been well over the last few days. Though our center is rooted in the importance of grassroots and community approaches to everything, we also know the importance of local elections on our lived experiences, our ability to organize, and to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors are as okay as they can be.

Like we did after the 2023 Election, we are opening the space for community members with positive intentions to come together and process the results of this years local election. The intention of this space is not having strategy meetings for the next election, but to hold space for the feelings that come with the results.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
6 pm
4 King Street, Worcester, MA

If you are registered to vote in Worcester and you haven't voted already, please make a plan to vote this Tuesday, 11/4, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Find your polling location and more information about voting here: https://www.worcesterma.gov/elections/your-vote-counts

Below are recommended progressive candidates identified in partnership with BFT - Black Families Together - Worcester. These recommendations were developed based on candidates' questionnaire responses and on candidates' alignment with racial and social justice priorities.

To further support these candidates, please consider donating and/or volunteering with their campaigns to get out the vote over the next two days.

Mayor
Khrystian King

District Candidates
D1 Keith Linares
D2 Robert Bilotta
D4 Luis Ojeda
D5 Etel Haxhiaj

At-large candidates
Khryistian King
Cayden Davis
Jermoh Kamara
Jessica Pepple

School Committee
At-large
Sue Mailman

District
B: Vanessa Alvarez
C: Feanna Jattan-Singh
E: Nelly Medina
F: Jermaine Johnson

Protest Health & Safety
June 17th, 6pm – 8pm. 90 Holden St. Worcester, MA
Learn how to sustain yourself, each other, and the movement. We will cover:
• Preparing for actions
• Community safety, including emergency eye flushes
• Creating a self care plan
• Time to network and meet new neighbors

RSVP please,
space is limited!
$5 donation &
sliding scale available

RSVP on Signal
• download Signal Messenger on your phone https://www.signal.org
• compose a new message and send to Lydia .04
o “Hi! I’d like to RSVP for the Health and Safety workshop on June 17th!” is great, we don't need any other info!

COVID and Clean Air Safety
• at least a surgical mask is required at all times indoors
• surgical masks + N95s will be available
• rapid antigen tests will be available to use and to take home a few
• we will be running two HEPA air filters

Accessibility
Space is ADA compliant, including ramp access to the building and a large, single room bathroom. Please let us know if you have additional access needs via Signal.