LA City Council President Controversy

Rubi Orellana

Recently, an audio tape of the LA City Council President was leaked. In the recording, Nury Martinez can be heard making racist comments about a fellow council member’s black son. Martinez allegedly said in the recording that Mike Bonin's young son behaved "parece changuito," or "like a monkey." Martinez made an apology to her colleagues, Bonin, and his relatives in a statement released on Monday.

Former LA City Council President Nury Martinez announced her resignation after a recording surfaced of her making racist remarks about fellow council members. Martinez had already resigned as city council president on Monday, but she remained a member of the council. “This has been one of the most difficult times of my life, and I recognize that it is entirely my fault. At the moment, I need to take a leave of absence to have an honest and heartfelt conversation with my family, constituents, and community leaders. I am deeply sorry to the residents of Council District 6, my colleagues, and the City of Los Angeles." Martinez said in a statement Tuesday.

Numerous associations arranged to protest the accusation racist remarks made at City Hall, with some demanding that all three council members on the audio disband. Protesters stormed into the city council chamber on Tuesday, disrupting the meeting with chants of "resign now" and "not one more day." Mitch O'Farrell, a council member, took Martinez's seat as president and attempted to keep the crowd under control.

Martinez’s apologies have been numerous. "As a mother, I should have known better, and I apologize. I am truly embarrassed. I'm aware that this is the result of my own actions. I apologize to your entire family for putting you through this ordeal.” Martinez explained. Many, however, do not believe her to be sincere. After what was said on the tapes, the apologies seem to be a way for her to cover her tracks and stay in the public’s good graces.

Bonin called for Martinez and the two other council members who were reportedly going to speak with her on the audio to resign in a series of tweets. In a proposition published on Twitter, Bonin and his family stated that they are "appalled, angry, and absolutely disgusted that Nury Martinez attacked our son with horrific racist slurs, and talked about her desire to physically harm him."

Bonin was requested to speak in order to get the conference started on Tuesday. Fighting back tears, Bonin criticized Martinez's remarks again, declaring that councilors making amends should resign. He stated, "I am a father who adores his son in ways that words cannot express. And I take a lot of hits, and I'm pretty sure I invite a lot of them. But what about my son? That breaks my heart and makes my temper flare. And I know I'm not alone because Los Angeles has spoken up and expressed similar sentiments."

Many are appalled by Martinez and the council member’s blatantly racist comments. The shock of this audio is felt not only in Los Angeles, but the entire country.