RI Radio: Gov. Backs Union In Oust John DePetro Effort

John DePetro

A union-led campaign to drive WPRO 630 AM talk-show host John DePetro off the Rhode Island airwaves has the support of some political leaders, according to The Providence Journal,  including one of DePetro's favorite targets: Governor Chafee.

Late Thursday, a spokesman for Gen. Treas. Gina Raimondo said she "will not go on any WPRO talk show until WPRO ends their relationship with John DePetro."

Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger said Chafee's decision had nothing to do with DePetro's frequent criticism of him as "Governor Gump.''  She said for Chafee, "it's about hate-speech.''

The controversy was sparked by comments DePetro made about the public employees protesting outside a September "Women Changing Rhode Island'' fundraiser for state Raimondo at the Roger Williams Park Casino.

The union campaign to get DePetro off the air has focused on his use of the words "union hags'' and "whores'' to describe the protesters -- including the female leader of the Cranston teachers' union -- a day later. He has since apologized for his choice of words.

Post by John DePetro-Radio.

DePetro is on vacation according to WPRO. Thursday evening, his lawyer, Tim Dodd, responded to Chafee's comments.

"John DePetro has been a vocal critic of Governor Chafee and he has questioned many of the Governor's policy decisions and the priorities of this administration, including his  past refusal to call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree.

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