Monroe County Legislature Faces Protests

(Rochester, N.Y.) — A crowd packed the Monroe County Legislature chambers to protest use of the word “retard” during a meeting last month. Disability rights activists wore orange ribbons to bring attention to their cause.

A lawmaker said the word in front of a live microphone during the July 14 meeting in response to something a Democratic legislator said.

Some accuse Majority Leader Dan Quatro (R) of saying the word. He denies saying it but accepted responsibility on behalf of his party.

“I apologize on behalf of my caucus and the legislature in its entirety for the use of the ‘r’ word,” he said.

Speakers for the event were organised by CDR