The Framingham Democratic Committee won’t be eradicating its chairman, who sparked outrage for feedback he made final month that appeared to attach aborting youngsters with disabilities to saving cash on particular training prices.
Committee members on Sunday voted unanimously, 27-0, to endorse an announcement “repudiating” chairman Michael Hugo’s feedback, however the committee opposed a movement so as to add an agenda merchandise to a future assembly to debate whether or not Hugo needs to be eliminated.
The controversy started on the City Council’s Feb. 7 assembly, when councilors authorized a proclamation to affirm state legislation defending abortion entry and to boost consciousness about “crisis pregnancy centers,” that are locations that critics say faux to be abortion clinics however really attempt to dissuade girls from getting abortions.
Hugo, in a letter after which in verbal remarks to councilors, stated he’s involved about how these untrained to carry out an ultrasound at a disaster being pregnant heart wouldn’t choose up on defects that would damage the fetus or pregnant individual.
“Is the state going to cover the costs of special education for a down’s syndrome affected child?” Hugo wrote. “How much does Framingham’s Public School Department pay for unreimbursed special needs school transportation, specialized education and durable supplies?”
In a Feb. 17 assertion, Hugo provided a “most sincere and humble apology to members of the Framingham Democratic Committee, but more especially my fellow members of Framingham’s disability family community.”
The Democratic Committee on Sunday debated for almost three hours over the “recent harmful comments,” based on an announcement the committee launched Tuesday afternoon following a Herald inquiry. Hugo repeated his apology to the committee and the neighborhood at massive, the discharge states.
Committee Secretary Doug Lawrence didn’t say whether or not Hugo faces any consequence because of his feedback.
Some neighborhood members gathered at City Hall earlier than Tuesday’s City Council assembly to indicate these with disabilities are liked and supported. It additionally served as a chance for advocates to push their message that extra work must be executed to incorporate these with studying variations.
“I want the community to know that although many of his peers unfortunately want to forget and move on from these harmful, damaging words that were said, as disability advocates, we are not going to forget,” metropolis resident Laura Green stated in a telephone interview. “We are going to continue to advocate for inclusion and acceptance of students with disabilities everywhere.”
Jon Fetherston, an Ashland resident who works within the metropolis, is the daddy of an grownup youngster with disabilities. He stated he felt the neighborhood had progressed to some extent the place residents have been extra tolerant and accepting of these with disabilities, however the previous month has modified his mindset.
“If they won’t even have a conversation about his possible removal, you can’t have it both ways,” Fetherston stated of the Democratic Committee’s resolution. “It’s very concerning that they want to have it both ways. I’m always fine with the final decision but the fact you don’t even want to have a conversation, it means your apology is disingenuous.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”