Local Dem. chair will not be ousted for ‘harmful’ comments
The Framingham Democratic Committee will not be removing its chairman, who sparked outrage for comments he made last month that appeared to connect aborting children with disabilities to saving money on special education costs.
Committee members on Sunday voted unanimously, 27-0, to endorse a statement “repudiating” chairman Michael Hugo’s comments, but the committee opposed a motion to add an agenda item to a future meeting to discuss whether Hugo should be removed.
The controversy began at the City Council’s Feb. 7 meeting, when councilors approved a proclamation to affirm state law protecting abortion access and to raise awareness about “crisis pregnancy centers,” which are places that critics say pretend to be abortion clinics but actually try to dissuade women from getting abortions.
Hugo, in a letter and then in verbal remarks to councilors, said he’s concerned about how those untrained to perform an ultrasound at a crisis pregnancy center wouldn’t pick up on defects that could hurt the fetus or pregnant 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?”
In a Feb. 17 statement, Hugo offered 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 nearly three hours over the “recent harmful comments,” according to a statement the committee released Tuesday afternoon following a Herald inquiry. Hugo repeated his apology to the committee and the community at large, the release states.
Committee Secretary Doug Lawrence did not say whether Hugo faces any consequence as a result of his comments.
Some community members gathered at City Hall before Tuesday’s City Council meeting to show those with disabilities are loved and supported. It also served as an opportunity for advocates to push their message that more work needs to be done to include those with learning differences.
“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,” city resident Laura Green said in a phone interview. “We are going to continue to advocate for inclusion and acceptance of students with disabilities everywhere.”
Jon Fetherston, an Ashland resident who works in the city, is the father of an adult child with disabilities. He said he felt the community had progressed to a point where residents were more tolerant and accepting of those with disabilities, but the past month has changed his mindset.
“If they won’t even have a conversation about his possible removal, you can’t have it both ways,” Fetherston said of the Democratic Committee’s decision. “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.”