Nury Martinez Resigns From LA City Council After Racist Remarks Revealed

Nury Martinez announced her resignation from the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday after leaked audio exposed her and several colleagues for making racist and crass remarks during a taped conversation last year.

Demands for the elected leaders to step down began piling up Monday after the Los Angeles Times published portions of the conversation, which included Martinez, who was then the council president, saying that her colleague Mike Bonin paraded his Black son around like an “accessory” and describing the child as “parece changuito,” or “like a monkey” ― playing into a racist stereotype.

She resigned from her presidency post shortly after the audio came out and apologized to Bonin and his family. She then announced she was taking a leave of absence.

Others embroiled in the scandal include City Council members Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, who were all recorded agreeing with Martinez or not pushing back against her remarks. Herrera has since resigned his post.

Among those who demanded their resignations were Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the leaders of the California Democratic Party and members of Congress from California.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.