SACRAMENTO, CA — We, the members of California Legislative Diversity Caucus— comprised of the California Legislative Black Caucus, California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, California Latino Legislative Caucus, California Legislative Jewish Caucus, and the California Legislative Women's Caucus—are appalled at the anti-Black, anti-Indigenous and homophobic statements made in conversation between Los Angeles City Council members Nury Martinez, Kevin de Leon, Gil Cedillo, and Los Angeles County Labor Federation President Ron Herrera.
The comments by these individuals are abhorrent and raise serious concerns over whether they are fit to serve the diverse communities of Los Angeles. Each individual was heard making, agreeing with, and amplifying racist and homophobic remarks, and must be held accountable.
The fact that there was no interruption or cry of protest by those present, when Councilmember Martinez used derogatory language and threats of violence against a young Black child while simultaneously taking shots at the child's father, who is white and gay, is dangerous and deeply disturbing.
We also are extremely alarmed by the context in which these comments were made in collusion to steer the Los Angeles City Council redistricting process, as well as a Council appointment process, to disenfranchise and limit the power of Black residents while increasing the power and influence of these individuals and their chosen allies. This is a direct attack on our democratic process. Angelinos deserve better than to be manipulated into a false premise that one community must suffer for another to thrive. Therefore, we the members of the Diversity Caucus, call for Nury Martinez, Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo to resign their positions immediately. Ron Herrera has resigned.