Los Angeles, CA – After a recording surfaced in which Los Angeles City Councilmember Nury Martinez uses racist language to denigrate Black and Indigenous people as well as Councilmember Mike Bonin and his son, Food & Water Watch is calling for Martinez’ resignation as well as Councilmembers Kevin de Léon and Gil Cedillo, who were also implicated in the recording. Ron Herrerra, also present in the meeting where the comments took place, resigned on Monday as head of the L.A. Labor Federation.

Food & Water Watch’s California Director Chirag G. Bhakta issued this statement:

“First and foremost, Food & Water Watch sends our love and support to Councilmember Mike Bonin and his family. The comments made and condoned by Nury Martinez, Kevin De Léon, Gil Cedillo and Ron Herrerra are heinous, offensive and render the speakers unworthy of the offices they hold. We call on Nury Martinez, Kevin De  Léon and Gil Cedillo to resign from the City Council immediately. There is no place for racism or hatred in our movement for a livable future. Our justice is made through solidarity, not division. We are proud, as we always have been, to stand with Councilmember Bonin in his efforts to bring climate justice and a renewable future to Los Angeles.”

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Contact: Jessica Gable, (202) 683-2478, [email protected]