LA City Council president resigns after she was caught on tape calling the Black son of a fellow Democratic politician a 'monkey'
Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The president of Los Angeles City Council resigned on Monday after leaked audio revealed that she made racist remarks about a fellow Democratic politician's Black son.
Martinez came under heavy criticism after the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that she made racist comments behind closed doors about Councilman Mike Bonin's son.
In a conversation with other local officials, Martinez described Bonin's son, who is Black, as a "monkey."
The conversation, which was taped and remained private for a while, sparked outrage and calls for Martinez to resign on Sunday, according to the report.
"I take responsibility for what I said and there are no excuses for those comments. I'm so sorry," Nury Martinez said on Monday in a statement obtained by local news station KTLA. "I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words."
However, her statement said she was resigning as president of the council. It's unclear if she's stepping down from her elected position as a city counselor.
Martinez, a 49-year-old Democrat, became the City Council president in 2019 after previously serving as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.