Stand with Etel & Ashley at Worcester District Court

Quiet Courtroom Presence | Tuesday, February 10 | Starting 8:30 AM
Room 23 - Worcester District Court
225 Main Street, Worcester

UPDATE:

Room change to 22
Trial continues at 9am Wednesday 11th

On Tuesday, February 10, community members are invited to show up in quiet solidarity for Etel Haxhiaj and Ashley Spring as they face a jury trial in Worcester District Court.

This is not a protest. It is a coordinated, respectful courtroom presence - a visible reminder that the community is paying attention, values due process, and rejects the criminalization of people who acted to protect their neighbors.

Our goal is simple: keep the courtroom seats filled throughout the day with calm, respectful observers.

What to Expect

• This is an inside-the-courtroom presence, seated and silent.
• Attendees will enter the courthouse, go through standard courthouse security, and sit quietly in Room 23.
• No signs, chanting, or demonstrations - just presence.
• Proceedings may include jury selection and trial testimony. Timing can change, which is why we are organizing coverage in shifts.

Please plan to arrive early for your shift to allow time for security screening and seating.

Courtroom Decorum (Very Important)

To respect the court and protect Etel and Ashley, standard courthouse rules strictly apply.

Absolutely NO:

• Posters, signs, buttons, or visible political messaging
• Slogans or graphic T-shirts
• Chanting, clapping, or vocal reactions
• Interaction with jurors, witnesses, court staff, attorneys, or defendants

Phones & Recording:

• NO video, audio, or photography of any kind anywhere inside the courthouse
• NO phone use at all inside the courtroom
• Phones must be silenced or turned off and put away

This includes texting, checking notifications, or browsing social media. There is zero phone use once inside the courtroom.

Failure to follow these rules can impact Etel and Ashley's cases and will likely result in your removal from the courtroom.

Clothing Guidance

Participants are asked to wear black.

Black is requested as a sign of:

• Visual unity
• Solidarity with Etel and Ashley
• The seriousness of the day and the stakes involved
• A clear signal of support to the court, the judge, and the jury

Please avoid clothing with slogans or messages, even if black.

Shifts & Timing

Court proceedings can run long, and seating is limited. Shifts are intended to help ensure the courtroom remains full throughout the day.

Tuesday, February 10

• 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

If proceedings continue beyond one day, we may need support on Wednesday:

Wednesday (if needed)

• 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

You may sign up for more than one shift and may attend even if you cannot stay for the full block or want to stay longer.

The court recesses for lunch from 1 pm to 2 pm.

You Are Welcome - Even If You Can Only Stay Briefly

• If you can only attend for an hour, you are still absolutely welcome.
• If you are unsure of your availability, you are still welcome.
• If you are uncomfortable filling out this form, you are still encouraged to attend in person.

The sign-up helps with coordination, but it is not required to show up and sit in the courtroom.

Parking & Arrival

Parking is limited. Metered street parking is available in the area, except on Thomas St adjacent to the courthouse, where parking is reserved for handicap vehicles and law enforcement attending court sessions.

View parking meters, garages, and lots here: Park Worcester map for 225 Main St

Please plan extra time for parking, security screening, and seating. The courthouse opens at 8:00 AM.

Can’t Attend in Person or Want to Do More?

Here are two ways to support organizations providing legal and community defense work actively in Worcester.

LUCE: Venmo @LUCEWorcester https://venmo.com/code?user_id=4376588762220392349&created=1769645135.1286368
Community Legal Aid: https://communitylegal.org/get-involved/donate/

(Etel and Ashley are not crowdfunding at this time.)

Additional Notes

• Seating is first-come, first-served.
• No food or drinks outside the courtroom only.
• Security can take a while; plan ahead.
• Please follow all instructions from court officers and staff.
• This presence is coordinated by Worcester Indivisible.

Thank you for showing up - quietly, respectfully, and together.