Members of the USC and South Los Angeles community shared their reactions following Nury Martinez’s resignation from her role as President of L.A. City Council after a racist-fueled audio recording from October 2021 was released on Sunday.
As president of Los Angeles Council District 6, Martinez was responsible for overseeing legislation, budgeting and business operations of North Hills, Panorama City and the surrounding area. Despite her resignation, Martinez currently still remains a member of the city council.
“What was caught on tape was a shock to anyone in Los Angeles,” said Kamy Akhavan, the executive director of USC’s Center of the Political Future. “What we saw was people resorting to the lowest common denominator – using the language of hate, division and cynicism in a way that does not represent what Angelenos or anyone in this country wants.”
Martinez stepped down from her position Monday after receiving widespread backlash from the leaked audio clip. Recorded councilmembers Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo discussed redistricting and made offensive comments about councilmember Mike Bonin’s Black son.
“I was completely disgusted about the remarks,” said Anna Ellazar, a freshman majoring in environmental studies. “It’s so sad to see that the people who are supposed to be representing a place as diverse as L.A. are actually racist.”
Leaders at Southside Bethel Baptist Church hosted a community gathering Monday to call for Nury Martinez’s resignation. The gathering quickly became a space for people to speak openly about what occurred.
“I think that what it demonstrates is that anti-Blackness and white supremacy is pervasive in our community,” said Matthew Lyskwa, who attended the community gathering in South L.A. “Even community members that appear to be for racial progress aren’t.”
Michael Lawson, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, was one of the leaders present at the gathering. He admired the ability of the community to come together so quickly, adding, “There’s a lot of work to be done, but this has to happen now.”
The president of the Baptist Ministers Conference, Reverend K.W. Tulloss, saw Martinez’s resignation as a point of celebration. “What she did was horrible. What she said was horrible. What was said in that meeting was horrible.”
After announcing her resignation, Martinez released a statement in which she said she took full responsibility for her offensive remarks. Not everyone deemed it enough.
“Nury Martinez may have issued an apology, but she will continue to have intense pressure on her to step down from her role on the council,” Akhavan said. “There are 15 council members – the council can function with one fewer person.”
“I think it’s the right call to make, but we need the other two out of there as well,” said Mateo Sabio Paese, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering. “Hopefully some change can be made so we have better people in office.”
De León and Cedillo have yet to step down from their positions despite L.A. leaders urging for their resignation.
“It was really shocking to read about these racist remarks… especially coming from a person that identifies as a Latina,” said Miguel Hijar-Chiapa, a political science and international relations PhD student. “I think that public servants should [hold] themselves to higher standards.”
“It was a matter of personal and hateful attacks on character and on children, which was really uncalled for,” Akhavan said. “I think that is why most Angelenos are outraged.”