Press Release: 2019-07-18
Senator Friedman stops Renew Massachusetts Coalition from broadcasting State House hearing on Facebook Live
Woburn – While Dr. David Franks, Board Chairman of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life, was testifying on HB 1181 on Defunding Planned Parenthood before a public hearing of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Senate Chairman Friedman ordered Renew Massachusetts Coalition staffer Robert Aufiero to stop broadcasting the hearing on Facebook live. Debby Dugan from Renew Massachusetts Coalition was also on the panel with Dr. Franks.
Here is a transcription of the exchange between Senator Friedman and the Renew Massachusetts Coalition cameraman, Robert Aufiero:
Senator Friedman: “Are you recording this?”
Robert Aufiero: “This is Facebook live for Renew Mass Coalition.”
Senator Friedman: “First of all you’re supposed to ask, um, if it’s okay. You are supposed to inform us that it is [being recorded], and if anybody has an objection that they are able to state that, and we will ask you to stop.”
Robert Aufiero: “Oh, okay.”
Senator Friedman: “Because I ask you to stop, I didn’t know it was happening, I assume you were recording before?”
Robert Aufiero: “Yes.”
Senator Friedman: “Okay, would you stop?”
Renew Massachusetts Coalition had broadcast Kathy Lynch, also testifying on behalf of the Renew Massachusetts Coalition, shortly before this exchange.
“This is censorship pure and simple,” says Chanel Prunier, Executive Director of the Renew Massachusetts Coalition. “This was a public hearing, emphasis on public. My staff was broadcasting on Facebook, so the public at large can be better educated when it comes time to vote. The legislature says it’s transparent, but it seems only when it’s convenient for them.”
The bill in question would prohibit state funds from going to Planned Parenthood or any of its affiliates. Senator Friedman has cosponsored the Roe Infanticide Act (HB3320/SB1209) and has a “champion” rating from Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. (https://www.
“I was appalled,” said Debby Dugan, board member of the Renew Massachusetts Coalition. “Then with the camera turned off, Senator Friedman attempted to restrict me in my remarks regarding the Defund Planned Parenthood bill. I was attempting to say that if the Roe Act is adopted, then Planned Parenthood would get even more taxpayer funds from abortions, and that’s wrong. But Senator Friedman attempted to stifle my ability to testify at this public hearing.”
Bill Gillmeister, Policy and Finance Director for the Renew Massachusetts Coalition, said, “I’ve never witnessed or heard of a prohibition on broadcasting at a public hearing before. At the hearing for the Roe Infanticide Act on June 17th, no such statement or restriction was made, and you had television crews and many others, including us, recording the hearing. People record and broadcast hearings at the State House all the time. What was there to hide at this hearing?”
“I’ve been to many of these hearings, and I’ve never heard anyone being restricted from broadcasting or recording them. Senator Friedman’s demand definitely took me by surprise especially when I had just recorded Kathy Lynch” said Robert Aufiero.
“The Open Meeting Law explicitly states that the recording of public meetings may not be prohibited,” continued Gillmeister. “I guess the rules for everyone else don’t apply to the Legislature or Senator Friedman.”