Local Activist Said He, Not The Mayor, Called Protesters 'Freakin' Morons'

WORCESTER, MA — After apologizing for a hot mic slip in which some offensive words were said about some loud protesters at a rally Tuesday, Mayor Joseph Petty is now saying that it wasn't he who called the ralliers "freakin' morons" and "not educated."

Petty, in an apology issued to the media,said it was in a "moment of frustration and I was wrong" when he referred to protesters at City Hall on Tuesday night as "morons." More than expected gathered to rally on Jan. 31 at Worcester City Hall in a show of solidarity and support for the city's immigrants and refugees, prompted partly by a resolution offered by City Councilor Mike Gaffney that would officially declare that Worcester not be a "sanctuary city."

The video of the meeting can be found here.

On Thursday night Petty said in a press conference Thursday night that he was led to believe the comments were his, when in fact a local activist is taking responsibility for them, reports The Worcester Telegram and Gazette.It appears that Richard Aucoin had the sharp tongue Tuesday night, and played the video back to offer proof. Aucoin initially told the Telegram that he hadn't made the comments.

Aucoin stood with Petty Thursday night and dissected the audio, stating, "I'm the one who said the word 'stupid,' I'm the one who said 'friggin morons, morons, morons, morons,'" reports MassLive Worcester.

Social media erupted Friday, as it had the previous day, with some calling for the mayor to retire, and others defending him and accepting the explanation and apology.

Petty spent time at the airport today assisting other politicians in an issue that stopped a WPI student from coming into the country because of immigration travel bans.

Photo via Worcester Public Schools