Politics & Government
Worcester Councilor To Attend Meetings Remotely, Cites Threats
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj said she will attend meetings remotely after a series of alleged threats toward her and her family.
WORCESTER, MA - Councilor Etel Haxhiaj announced this morning she will temporarily attend city council and standing committee meetings virtually.
In a message posted to her Facebook page, Haxhiaj cites threats to her and her family as the inciting reason.
"Due to specific and direct threats, some of which of a sexual nature, against myself and my family, I will utilize the virtual option to temporarily attend," Haxhiaj wrote.
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The decision comes following another shakeup amongst Worcester's city council. Councilor Thu Nguyen, who took a hiatus early this year citing alleged LGBTQ+ discrimination from Mayor Joseph Petty and other councilors, announced they will take an indefinite break from serving.
Haxhiaj was elected in 2021, and declined further comment according to the Telegram and Gazette.
Find out what's happening in Worcesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Given previous acts of vandalism and non-stop harassment these last few years, I take my safety as a woman, mother and immigrant very seriously," Haxhiaj said. "My and my family's safety come first and my work serving District 5 residents continues uninterrupted.
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