Framingham's Dhruba Sen Running For State Rep

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Longtime Framingham resident and community activist Dhruba Sen announced Tuesday that he is on the ballot for state representative for the 6th Middlesex district.

His said in a statement that his decision to run was influenced by redistricting as a result of 2020 U.S. Census data, which he called a " now incumbent free, majority minority House legislative district"

"I have lived in Framingham for decades," he said. "I have hardly seen 'Framingham leaders' as part of any movement fighting for the rights of the minority community - they were happily ensconced in the safety of their houses. Be it the murder of Trayvon Martin, Ferguson murders or the murder of George Floyd."

Sen said one of his goals is to advocate for people of color and immigrants.

"The minority community has no effective voice," he said. "It is easy to talk about these issues when it is 'cool' to do so. This is why I have decided to run for this legislative seat - to give a voice to the minority community. If elected, I will of course represent the entire district."

In an interview with Patch Thursday, Sen spoke about how he organized protests regarding the targeting of people of color by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, when he said ICE was harassing the people of color and the Brazilian community in particular.

"Be it negotiations on 287g or the U visa. Be it the recent vigil against the 2021 Jan 6 insurrection. The minority community has no effective voice," he stressed.

He added that ICE officials had surveilled the courthouse in Framingham and targeted people of color, which he said caused immigrants to be fearful of appearing in court.

"If elected, I will of course represent the entire district," Sen noted.

In his statement, Sen listed his priorities as transparency in the legislature and the executive branches of government; increased funding for education, transportation, infrastructure, environmental justice and housing; and delivery of racial and social justice.

The 6th Middlesex district has been represented by state Rep. Maria Robinson since 2019. She was nominated by President Joe Biden to become an assistant secretary in the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy, but a quorum was not present in the U.S. Senate for her confirmation hearing in February.