On the night of 06/01/2020 the Worcester Police Department responded in the Main South neighborhood after peaceful protests regarding racial justice and the killing of George Floyd. At this time a small group of protesters was walking in the area

The Worcester Police Department proceeded to use disproportionate force against these peaceful protesters and local residents who stepped out of their homes to see what was happening. Police were equipped with riot gear (which was not present at a much larger protest earlier in the day) and used teargas against these peaceful protesters.

Such a disproportionate use of force is already cause for outrage, but the fact that this was directed at protesters who had just finished demonstrating against racial justice and against police brutality is all the more chilling. We are calling upon the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Attorney General Maura Healey, and the Worcester City Council, to provide for a full, transparent investigation into the actions of the Worcester Police Department. Such actions cannot go without investigtion and undisciplined, for the use of such force against peaceful demonstrators attacks the very core of liberal democracy and American politics.