Nury Martinez, the Los Angeles City Council, has resigned after a leaked audio recording revealed racist comments she made during a conversation with her colleague, Councilman Kevin de León and others.
The majority of her controversial remarks were directed toward Councilmember Mike Bonin’s adopted young son, who is Black.
Martinez recalled being on an MLK Jr. parade float together. She referred to his son as a “monkey” in Spanish and suggested that his son was being raised “like a little white kid,” and that Bonin “handled his young Black son as though he were an accessory.” Martinez took things a step further, adding, “Let me take him around the corner. I’ll bring him right back.”
Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Ron Herrera also partook in the discussion.
The leaked audio sparked outrage, with members of the community, including Bonin, calling for her to step down.
Martinez’s resignation as president was effective immediately. However, she remains a member of the council.
For many, Martinez’s concession appears to be performative. The fact that four Hispanic council leaders could harbor such ill feelings for members of the Black community raised more questions than her resignation could ever answer.
Read Martinez’s parting words below:
“I take responsibility for what I said and there are no excuses for those comments. I’m so sorry
“I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words: to my colleagues, their families, especially to Mike, Sean, and your son. As a mother, I know better, and I am sorry. I am truly ashamed. I know this is the result of my own actions. I’m sorry to your entire family for putting you through this.
“As someone who believes deeply in the empowerment of communities of color, I recognize my comments undercut that goal. Going forward, reconciliation will be my priority. I have already reached out to many of my Black colleagues and other Black leaders to express my regret in order for us to heal.
“I ask for forgiveness from my colleagues and from the residents of this city that I love so much. In the end, it is not my apologies that matter most; it will be the actions I take from this day forward. I hope that you will give me the opportunity to make amends.
“Therefore, effective immediately I am resigning as President of the Los Angeles City Council.”
