The leaked audio of racist comments made by a former city council president forced her to resign.
After angry protesters disrupted in-person meetings at City Hall last week, the council held virtual meetings. During the public comments portion of both meetings, most of the callers wanted to talk about the leaked audio of a private meeting in which a Hispanic called blacks and Americans of Oaxacan descent racists.
Several callers demanded the resignations of Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Len, who did not attend either meeting, because of their involvement in the Martinez scandal. The two men haven't stepped down yet. The committees that they chaired dealt with housing and homelessness.
A representative from the L.A. County Business Federation spoke to Cedillo and de Len.
She said that the residents and their colleagues had spoken. It's time for you to step down so that our city can move forward and begin to heal and finish tackling the many important issues that have been put on hold because of your refusal to do the right thing for the city. We're calling on you to step down now because you're proving you're not fit for the job.
Christian Green, a sociology and African American history professor at Cal State University, said during Tuesday's meeting that the past week was a "total disgrace and disheartening."
Green wants more than an apology. The word healing is being talked about. We can't heal unless we face the truth. These elected officials were revolting, repelling, repulsive, sickening, uninviting, and unseemly.
Khansa Jones-Muhammad, a Black commissioner on L.A.'s reparations task force, called in Tuesday to decry the "institutional racism" that still exists. She said that racism from the city's leadership will not be accepted by the black community.
The perception that the relationship between the Black and Latino communities is in an especially precarious state was reinforced by the number of angry callers that flooded the meetings. One caller used clown music to make fun of the chamber, while others suggested removing the entire council.
The chamber was called out for being complicit in the actions of their Hispanic colleagues who had been caught on tape.
The callers criticized the acting president for not allowing the hearing to take place in person. The hearing was moved online after Mike Bonin, who delivered an emotional speech at the meeting, tested positive for carbon dioxide. Bonin was in close contact with other people.
Some people were against de Len and Cedillo being on the council. The woman asked de Len not to step down. The L.A. City Council and his critics are putting a lot of pressure on him.
Protesters made their voices heard outside City Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday despite the virtual forums.
Protesters shouted "No resignations, no meeting!" as they tried to force their way into City Hall. They were pushed back by police officers in riot gear.
Cedillo and de Len, along with labor union leader Ron Herrera, who has also resigned, were present in the room in 2021.
According to the audio, the person can be heard saying that the child is being raised like a white child. This kid needs a beating. Allow me to take him around the corner and then bring him back. She referred to Bonin as a small bitch.
A woman who did not identify herself by name was frustrated by the comments. This is something we've been doing for a long time. She said that they have dealt with this type of racism before. For a long time, we have been dealing with it.
The recording of the three powerful politicians discussing with a labor leader how to maintain their grip on power and expand Latino influence in the city has plunged the council into turmoil. Cedillo lost his bid for a third term in June. De Len won't be running for reelection.
A group of protesters affiliated with Black Lives Matter have been camping outside of de Len's home in Eagle Rock since Sunday morning to demand his resignation. The council worked on policies that affect the black community.
The recordings we heard last week proved that the city's redistricting process was manipulated for political gain.
The task of restoring trust in the City Council will be taken on by council member Paul Krekorian. He said it was time for Angelinos to heal as he described this moment as one of the most challenging times in the city's history.
"I just need to reiterate that we can't allow two members who are in a position now of having disrespected their offices to hold the business of the city hostage."
It is a great honor to serve in City Hall. It is a great honor to serve in public service. We have that right. Setting aside the differences that divide us and setting aside the idea that we serve a group at the expense of others is what we have to do. Los Angeles can't afford that type of thinking. All of the people of Los Angeles need you to serve them.
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