Los Angeles,CA–The Los Angeles City Council is currently in shambles, after leaked audio uploaded to Reddit exposed the mindset of those currently serving the constituents of Los Angeles.
Nury Martinez has resigned as president of the Los Angeles City Council, after the audio revealed her and Councilman Kevin de León making racist comments and discussing gerrymandering.
Many are not pleased, however, with Martinez stepping down as Council President, but still holding her seat and having the ability to impact decisions that the L.A City Council makes.
Nury Martinez represents the 6th District and was L.A City Council President when the audio was reported on by the L.A Times Sunday morning.
She was being recorded while discussing L.A politics including redistricting, as well as the 2-year-old Black son of L.A Councilman Mike Bonin.
Gil Cedillo and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera were also present.
“They’re raising him like a little white kid,” Martinez said. “I was like, this kid needs a beatdown. Let me take him around the corner and then I’ll bring him back.”‘
Martinez also called the child “ese changuito,” Spanish for “that little monkey.”
De León also criticized Bonin. “Mike Bonin won’t f—–g ever say peep about Latinos. He’ll never say a f—–g word about us,” he said.
“This is a very dark day in LA politics for African-Americans, the lgbtq community, indigenous people and Angeleno’s who have put their faith and trust in their local government. Today the facade came crashing down. Our hearts are heavy in grief.”
L.A Black City Council members statement
The audio also caught remarks that Martinez made that were anti-renter, as well as negative stereotypes of dark-skinned Oaxacan’s in Koreatown.
At another point, Martinez recalls a conversation with Black L.A businessman Danny Bakewell about possibly transferring Los Angeles International Airport out of Bonin’s council district and into that of Councilman Marqueece Harris- Dawson, (FOX 11).
The council president says she told Bakewell to “go get the airport from his little brother — that little bitch Bonin.”
FOX 11
Several politicians from the local level, to the senate, have condemned Martinez and those on the audio, calling for their immediate resignation.
Civil rights groups and other city leaders in Los Angeles also held press conferences this morning.
“We can’t have a city council where every day we go in, there’s someone sitting there that called a Black child a monkey,” he said. “It’s not tenable, it’s inconsistent with the city of Los Angeles, it’s not who we want to be. I don’t even think it’s who [Martinez] wants us to be.
Marqueece Harris Dawson
“I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words: to my colleagues, their families, especially to Mike, Sean, and your son. As a mother, I know better and I am sorry. I am truly ashamed. I know this is the result of my own actions. I’m sorry to your entire family for putting you through this.
Nury Martinez Statement
Los Angeles Mayoral candidate Karen Bass, amongst other elected officials, have released statements calling for Martinez and those on the audio to resign immediately.
“As someone who believes deeply in the empowerment of communities of color, I recognize my comments undercut that goal. Going forward, reconciliation will be my priority. I have already reached out to many of my Black colleagues and other Black leaders to express my regret in order for us to heal.
I ask for forgiveness from my colleagues and from the residents of this city that I love so much. In the end, it is not my apologies that matter most; it will be the actions I take from this day forward. I hope that you will give me the opportunity to make amends. Therefore, effective immediately I am resigning as President of the Los Angeles City Council.”
Nury Martinez Statement
Protests were also held yesterday outside of her home.
It is unclear exactly who recorded the audio, or if a device was intentionally placed where the meeting was held.
Photo Credit:Jesse Grant/Getty Images
