Disability advocates are expressing aid over the resignation of the Framingham Democratic Committee chairman who sparked outrage for feedback he made final month that appeared to attach aborting kids with disabilities to saving cash on particular schooling prices.
Mike Hugo stepped down from the place on Thursday, shortly after state Senate President Karen Spilka and state Rep. Jack Lewis, of Framingham, made public pleas that he vacate the position.
The controversy started on the City Council’s Feb. 7 assembly, when councilors accepted a proclamation to affirm state legislation defending abortion entry and to lift consciousness about “crisis pregnancy centers,” that are locations that critics say fake to be abortion clinics however really attempt to dissuade girls from getting abortions.
Hugo, in a letter after which in verbal remarks to councilors, mentioned 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 harm the fetus or pregnant particular person.
“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?”
The public statements from Spilka and Lewis, made to hyperlocal information website Framingham Source, got here after weeks of outcry from metropolis residents and people concerned in incapacity consciousness efforts.
Ashland resident Jon Fetherston, who works in Framingham, advised the Herald on Friday he’s glad that Hugo “finally decided to do the right thing.”
“As the story went international and I heard from people all over the world (regarding) the pain he caused, it saddens me that it took so long for senior leadership to finally pressure him into it,” Fetherston, a father of an grownup youngster with disabilities, mentioned in a textual content message. “It highlights how much awareness is still needed about how much value the special needs community adds.”
Community members say Hugo’s resignation got here as a shock, particularly after the Democratic Committee on Sunday voted unanimously, 27-0, to endorse an announcement “repudiating” his feedback whereas opposing a movement so as to add an agenda merchandise to a future assembly to debate whether or not Hugo must be eliminated.
“When a public official says something like that it opens the door for other people with those hateful ideas to come forward and say them because a public official said and it was OK,” metropolis resident Laura Green advised the Herald. “But now this sends the message that it’s not OK.”
In an announcement Thursday, Hugo mentioned his resignation got here after “recognizing my unfortunate misstatement at a recent City City Council meeting, and upon discussing the issue with my wife, family, Senate President Karen Spilka, and various members of the Framingham Democratic Committee.”
The resolution, he mentioned, “is necessary to eliminate any distraction from the important work of the local Democratic Committee, as well as the State Party.”
Hugo had issued a number of apologies to the general public since then earlier than making one other Thursday.
“I wish to reiterate that I am sorry for distracting from a major victory for freedom of choice, and for harm to the other-abled community at large,” he mentioned.
Going ahead, Green mentioned she’d wish to see fellow incapacity advocates band collectively and maintain incapacity schooling nights for public officers and first responders. More incapacity consciousness programming and campaigns would even be a step in the correct path, she mentioned.
“The topic of disability can be very uncomfortable for some people, and it shouldn’t be,” Green mentioned. “If they don’t have a safe space to ask questions in, they don’t know what to do.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”