Los Angeles Councilwoman Resigns After Racist Audio Clip Leaked

Topline

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez announced her resignation from the city government Wednesday following immense criticism over leaked audio in which she used racist language to describe a colleague’s Black son.

Key Facts

Martinez’s resignation comes a day after she announced a “leave of absence” from the council to have what she called “honest and heartfelt” conversations about the audio clip, which was anonymously posted to Reddit before being picked up by the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.

Martinez is heard in the clip using the Spanish term “parece changuito” to describe how she feels Councilman Mike Bonin, who is white, treats his 8-year-old Black son.

The comment translates to “like a monkey” in English, and she also describes the child as an “accessory” and “su negrito,” a derogatory Spanish expression for a Black person.

Martinez had served as city council president but stepped down from that post Monday amid widespread condemnation from both Los Angeles residents and those outside of the city, including from President Joe Biden.

Crucial Quote

“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 said in a statement.

Key Background

Martinez, a Democrat, faced myriad calls to resign after the audio leaked, including from the Los Angeles Times’ editorial board, while protesters took to demonstrating outside her house. Martinez made the comments about a year ago during a conversation about the city council’s decennial redistricting process, speaking to fellow council members Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, along with Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, who resigned from his post Monday. Calls have also come for de León and Cedillo to resign, with the Los Angeles City Council cutting its meeting short Wednesday after continued interruptions from protesters demanding resignations. Martinez served more than nine years on the city council, assuming office in August of 2013.

Tangent

The discussions over redistricting came as many Latino voters pushed for more representation in Los Angeles. More than half of the city’s residents are Latino, but Latinos hold less than a third of city council seats, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Further Reading

Nury Martinez announces resignation from L.A. City Council in wake of audio leak scandal (Los Angeles Times)

L.A. City Council Meeting Shut Down By Angry Protesters Calling For Martinez, Cedillo & De León To Resign After Racist Conversation Caught On Tape (Deadline)

Former Los Angeles City Council President Taking ‘Leave Of Absence’ After Leaked Audio Of Racist Comments (Forbes)