Update: Nury Martinez, 49, has resigned from the Los Angeles City Council.
“Serving you has been a privilege and one that I don’t give up lightly,” Martinez said in a statement. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but please know that I was in this fight for you.”
In 2022, there’s no space for racism and bigotry, and the people of Los Angeles made that very clear during a protest calling for the resignation of Los Angeles City Councilmembers in the midst of a controversial audio recording being leaked to the public.
Nury Martinez, President of the Los Angeles City Council, and a representative of the Latino community, made racist and disparaging remarks about a Black child of a fellow councilmember, calling him a “changuito” or little monkey. Her unprofessional rant also referred to Oaxacan immigrants residing in Koreatown, a sector of Los Angeles, as the “short, little, dark people.“ The ranting did not stop there. She also disparaged George Gascón, Los Angeles County District Attorney, saying “F**k that guy” because “he’s with the Blacks.”
The remarks were made during an hour-long conversation about redistricting with Ron Herrera, President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and councilmembers, Gil Cedillo and Kevin De León, in attendance. The overall subject was about undermining the economic and political power of their Black constituents, with USC and LAX being in the middle of that tug of war. Those involved were not aware they were being recorded.
The leaked audio surfaced on Reddit before making its way to The New York Times and becoming accessible to the public through The Los Angeles Times on Sunday (Oct. 9). Although the recording is fresh to the public, the actual conversation took place almost a year ago in October 2021, according to The Los Angeles Times. Oddly enough, the leak is occurring just ahead of the Midterm Elections on Nov. 8.
The councilmembers were publicly reprimanded by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and mayoral candidates Karen Bass and Rick Caruso, who are battling for the democratic bill. President Joe Biden also called for resignations, labeling the captured conversation “appalling.”
Martinez, who made history as the first Latina City Council President in L.A., has since resigned from her position on Monday (Oct. 10). However, she maintains her seat on the Council and is currently taking a leave of absence. Herrera also resigned from his position. Cedillo released a statement saying he doesn’t “have a recollection of this conversation.”
Mike Bonin, the father of the young, Black child that was one of the subjects of Martinez’ verbal attack, made an emotional appeal for the councilmembers to resign at Los Angeles City Hall on Tuesday (Oct. 11) before Angelenos outraged by the scandal. The teary-eyed councilmember, who represents L.A. neighborhoods on the westside, expressed being disheartened by Martinez’ scathing remarks.
“I am still trying to wrap my head around everything that was said,” Bonin said. “My husband [Sean Arian] and I are both raw and angry, and heartbroken and sick for our family and for Los Angeles.”
Watch Angelenos In Outrage At The Los Angeles City Council Meeting
“The president is glad to see that one of the participants in that conversation has resigned, but he believes they all should resign,” Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, said at a press conference. “The language that was used and tolerated during that conversation was unacceptable and is appalling. He believes they should all step down.”
