UNITED STATES. Los Angeles: Following the publication of an audio recording in which she makes racist, and other offensive comments, including ones regarding the Black son of a colleague, a Los Angeles city councilwoman resigned as the council’s president on Monday.
Nury Martinez, a Democrat, expressed regret to Mike Bonin and his family in a statement announcing her resignation, which would take effect immediately. She still serves as the sixth district representative for Los Angeles.
Martinez faced backlash after the Los Angeles Times published remarks she made in a meeting recorded in October 2021. In those remarks, Martinez claimed that Bonin, a white man, treated his black son like an “accessory” and compared him to a “changuito,” which is Spanish for “little monkey.” Bonin wasn’t in the room.
The Times said that Martinez also disparaged Oaxacan Mexicans and expressed her anger with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, stating, “he’s with the Blacks.”
Martinez stated, “I take responsibility for what I said, and there are no excuses for those comments; I’m so sorry.”
“As someone who believes deeply in the empowerment of communities of colour, I recognize my comments undercut that goal,” he continued.
According to the Times, the three gave declarations recognizing that offensive comments were uttered during the meeting.
On Sunday, Bonin released a statement asking the municipal council to oust Martinez as head of the body and accept her resignation.
“Any parent reading her comments will know that she is unfit for public office,” according to Bonin.
Black Lives Matter’s local organization urged Martinez, Cedillo, de León, and Herrera to resign.
According to the website for her office, Martinez was the first Latina to hold the position of president of the city council in January 2020. In 2013, she saw her first election to the City Council.
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