President Joe Biden called on Tuesday for Nury Martinez and three other Los Angeles City Council councilmembers to resign, amid a growing scandal following the leak of audio where officials are heard using racist language and colluding to stay in power.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a briefing with reporters on Tuesday that
the president "believes everyone should resign."
"The president is glad that one of the participants in that conversation has resigned, but they should all resign," Jean-Pierre said, adding that the councilors' comments were
"unacceptable" and "deplorable."
[“They betrayed us”: they demand the resignation of all the councilors recorded in a racist conversation]
The scandal has gained national attention and has generated protests for the councilors, all Democrats, to resign their seats after the leak of the audio this Sunday by the newspaper
Los Angeles Times
.
Councilwoman Nury Martinez, who has resigned as Speaker of the Los Angeles City Council, at an event with Mayor Eric Garcetti on April 1, 2022 at City Hall. Damian Dovarganes / AP
Biden is the highest authority to speak out on the explosive leak, which has sparked outrage among Los Angeles' black and Latino communities.
In the recording, the then president of the Municipal Council
Nury Martinez
, and the councilmen
Kevin de León
,
Gil Cedillo
and
Ron Herrera
are heard making fun of a black boy whom they called "changuito" (monkey).
It was the son of Councilman Mike Bonin.
“This kid needs a beating.
Let me take it around the corner and I'll bring it back,” Martinez is heard saying.
Councilmembers also denigrated other colleagues and colluded to influence redistricting
of Los Angeles for your benefit.
Councilmembers also mocked Oaxacan-born Mexicans, lashing out at Cuban-born Los Angeles County Prosecutor George Gascón, saying,
“Fuck him.
He is with the blacks.”
For a Latino activist in Los Angeles "it was very painful" what the councilmen did
Oct. 11, 202201:45
The leaked audio conversation took place during a meeting in October 2021. Although the strongest comments were made by Martinez, critics have pointed out that the rest of the participating councilors did nothing to stop the conversation or take a different position.
Nury Martinez resigned on Monday as president of the Municipal Council and announced on Tuesday that a license will be taken.
And Ron Herrera resigned as president of the Federation of County Workers amid mounting pressure.
“I need to take a leave of absence and some time to have an honest and candid conversation with my family, my constituents and community leaders.
I am very sorry for the residents of Council District 6, for my colleagues and for the city of Los Angeles,” Martinez said.
"They betrayed us": they demand the resignation of all the councilors recorded in a racist conversation
Oct. 10, 202203:07
If the three councilors resign, the only Latino representation that would remain on the Council would be Mónica Rodríguez, and Mayor Eric Garcetti, who ends his term this year.
The voices calling for their dismissals reached the Council plenary session on Tuesday
with the slogans of dozens of people in favor of the resignation of the councilors
, who apologized for their comments.
"Apologies are not enough, they must go," Odilia Romero, director of Indigenous Communities in Leadership (Cielo), told Efe.
The indigenous leader lamented that the three councilors destroyed the confidence of the voters with these comments.
"There is no way back".