Martinez made history in 2019 when she became the first Latina elected to the council presidency and described herself as “a glass-ceiling shattering leader who brings profound life experience as the proud daughter of working-class immigrants” on her website. In the recorded conversation, Martinez called council member Mike Bonin a “little bitch.” She described the behavior of his Black son on a parade float when he was 2 as “parece changuito,” or “like a monkey,” the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.Īt another point on the hourlong recording, Martinez called indigenous immigrants from the Mexican state of Oaxaca ugly, and made crass remarks about Jews and Armenians. A censure does not result in suspension or removal from office. The council cannot expel members - it can only suspend a member when criminal charges are pending. "I repeat my call on Councilmembers de Leon and Cedillo to also resign. “For Los Angeles to heal, and for its City Council to govern, there must be accountability," he said in a statement. “Who shut you down? We shut you down!” the raucous crowd cheered as the lights were being turned down.Īcting Council President Mitch O’Farrell said that with no sign of anger subsiding, he didn't think the council could resume its work until all three are gone, which he said is inevitable. None of the three embattled council members showed up. The council reconvened Wednesday, possibly to censure the three members, but it was unable to do business because a crowd of about 50 protesters drowned out the acting president chanting slogans such as, “No meeting without resignation.”Ī minimum of 10 out of 15 members necessary for a quorum had assembled, but the meeting was adjourned when one left. Those involved in the leaked conversation were all Latinos, while Bonta is the first Filipino American to hold the top law enforcement job in the nation’s most populous state. “It’s clear an investigation is sorely needed to help restore confidence in the redistricting process for the people of LA,” he said.īonta spoke in Los Angeles while the council tried unsuccessfully to conduct business nearby amid the uproar that exposed City Hall’s racial rivalries. Her decision to give up her seat came as President Joe Biden was due to arrive in Los Angeles a day after he condemned the remarks and called on all three council members - Martinez, Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo - to resign.īonta, a Democrat like the three council members, said his investigation could lead to civil liability or criminal charges, depending on what is found.
Martinez had stepped down as president Monday while still holding onto her council seat. The announcement was made several hours after Attorney General Rob Bonta said he would investigate Los Angeles’ redistricting process that the three council members discussed with a labor leader in which they schemed to protect Latino political strength in council districts.
Her resignation statement did not address those comments, though in words directed at her daughter she said she had fallen short of expectations recently and added: "I vow to you that I will strive to be a better woman to make you proud.” Martinez made racist remarks about the Black son of a white councilman and other crude comments. Nury Martinez, the first Latina to hold the top post on the council, announced her decision in a press release following a groundswell of outrage and calls for the resignations of her and two other council members involved in the conversation recorded last year. LOS ANGELES (AP) - The former president of the Los Angeles City Council resigned from public office Wednesday, three days after a recording surfaced of her making racist remarks in a meeting that is now the subject of a state investigation.
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