“The bottom line is that I owe you an apology without any excuses or equivocation, because my innermost feelings tell me that it is the right thing to do, especially when I know in my heart of hearts that I have upset people I truly care for and about,” the apology read in part. “In closing, I have nothing but gratitude for the services, education, and love Framingham has shown our family over the years.”
Hugo faced substantial backlash from pro-life groups and others. Myrna Maloney Flynn, the president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, told CNA that she was “disheartened” by his comments but that she “wasn’t too surprised” about what he said.
“It is consistent with today’s underlying cultural current,” Flynn said. “Few who call themselves ‘pro-choice’ will admit it, but the sort of discrimination and selectivity Hugo referenced has been central to the pro-abortion message for some time. In recent years, ‘fetal anomalies’ has become a common and acceptable justification for elective abortion up to birth, particularly here in Massachusetts when the ROE Act was passed early in 2021. If one follows that tragic line of reasoning, then it becomes logical to equate a prenatal diagnosis with significant disruption to a community.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, released a statement in which she said Hugo’s comments “reflect the formal position of leading Democrats who refuse to name a single limit on abortion they support.”
“The abortion lobby is wildly out of step with the American people in treating children with a disability as a commodity and a tax burden — the opposite of their families’ experience. Tragically, parents all too often face pressure to abort based on fear and stereotypes, resulting in as many as 67% of unborn children with Down syndrome being aborted in the United States. But as people with Down syndrome themselves report — and as those who love them are well aware — 99% of these individuals lead happy lives.”
Flynn said that pro-life pregnancy centers have been “disparaged” by other elected leaders and the media. She cited Gov. Maura Healey, who as attorney general accused the centers of using “deceptive and coercive tactics” against patients. In the same news release, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she would “keep fighting in Congress to stop these harmful practices nationwide.”