Activist Allegedly Assaulted by Restaurant Owner at Worcester City Council Meeting, Suspect Charged

At Tuesday night’s Worcester City Council meeting, tensions erupted after a restaurant owner allegedly spray-painted local progressive activist David Webb in the face. The scene abruptly shifted from civil discourse to alleged assault. According to Boston.com, witnesses and city authorities said that the brawl started just as the meeting was getting started.

According to a Boston.com report, Webb, who was marked with black paint, took to the public comment podium to express his shaken state and tell the councilors of the attack. “Sorry I’m shaken up, the owner of Piccolo’s just spray-painted my face out there,” Webb said during the session. The accused, identified by police as John Piccolo, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and has a warrant issued for his arrest following a chaotic encounter that occurred on the third floor of Worcester City Hall.

When Webb took to social media following the incident, wearing a shirt that read “decriminalize survival,” he implied that it’s acceptable for people to disagree with his advocacy but referred to calling for violence against activists as a step toward fascism. His subsequent remarks highlighted the conflict between advocacy and aggression. In a moving statement posted on his social media accounts, he stated, “Disliking me is understandable, while concluding Advocating for violence against activists and advocates is fascism.” Boston.com claims that video that was uploaded to Webb’s Instagram account showed him in a disturbed state at the council chambers, which was used to support this.

Although there are still concerns over the absence of body cameras on the officers on duty during the incident, City Manager Eric Batista underlined the city’s dedication to safety in public buildings, according to NBC Boston. Despite the police’s quick four-minute reaction, Webb, who was treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center and released without serious injuries, had concerns about transparency.

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