Nury Martinez is getting big pressure to resign from LA City Counsel. Reason being is that some racist remarks she made has gone viral after being leaked. But it’s not just her, councilman Kevin de León was involved in the racist conversation as well. Furthermore, Martinez and the other Latino leaders present during the taped conversation were seemingly unaware they were being recorded as Martinez said a white councilmember handled his young Black son as though he were an “accessory” and said that Councilmember Mike Bonin’s son is “parece changuito,” or is “like a monkey.”
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)
According to Los Angeles Times, Martinez also absolutely mocked Oaxacans and said “F— that guy … He’s with the Blacks” while speaking about Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón.
Finally, on Tuesday, The Los Angeles City Council congregated on the matter as calls grew louder for three members to resign following the racist leaked audio from last year’s meeting. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.; however, it was delayed by protesters both inside and outside the building displaying their sentiments over the remarks heard in the leaked audio.
“It is with a broken heart that I resign my seat for Council District 6, the community I grew up in and my home,” Martinez wrote in a lengthy resignation message.
Nury Martinez Resigned on Monday
Despite Martinez resigning as council president and taking a leave of absence Tuesday, her decision to keep her council seat has drawn further outrage.
“Their actions and inactions were completely contrary to the standard of conduct that the public is entitled to demand of its elected public servants,” the motion reads. “They demonstrated contempt and disrespect toward communities and individuals they were elected to serve, and they have damaged the public’s faith in how this city is governed.”
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“Resign from the council, all of it. We should not have anyone serving that is not about the whole community,” Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, who represents Inglewood, said at a press conference Monday.
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Martinez, who represents such San Fernando Valley communities as Van Nuys, Arleta and Sun Valley, told her constituents that it had been a privilege serving them. “I hope you stay engaged and continue to fight for your fair share of the city’s resources,” she said. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but please know that I was in this fight for you.”
“And last, to all little Latina girls across this city — I hope I’ve inspired you to dream beyond that which you can see,” Martinez said in closing. “While I take the time to look inwards and reflect, I ask that you give me space and privacy.”