Worcester City Hall is closing to the public early today ahead of a planned protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ICE protest is expected to draw hundreds at the same time as a City Council meeting inside.

The protesters plan to demand that the city council request the City Manager to draft a new policy that would prevent Worcester Police officers from becoming involved in ICE operations.

As public anger in Worcester boils over the controversial arrests of a woman and her teen daughter last week, City Hall will close early on Tuesday and a City Council meeting will be held on Zoom. The decision was made “Due [to] public safety concerns, out of an abundance of caution,” Tom Matthews, Worcester city spokesperson, said in a statement.