Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson Reacts To Protests Outside L.A City Hall

Black L.A City Council-members are coming to grips with the racism scandal currently unfolding at L.A City Hall.

Nury Martinez has resigned completely from the Los Angeles City Council, after public pressure following leaked audio of Martinez, along with Councilmen Kevin de León and Gil Cedillio making racist comments and discussing redistricting.

Although Martinez has resigned, public pressure continues to mount on Cedillo and de León, however.

Neither have released any statements following Martinez’ resignation on Wednesday.

“This is a very dark day in LA politics for African-Americans, the lgbtq community, indigenous people and Angeleno’s who have put their faith and trust in their local government. Today the facade came crashing down. Our hearts are heavy in grief,” Black L.A Council members Curren Price, Heather Hutt and Dawson said in a joint statement.

Acting L.A City Council President Mitch O’Farrell shared at a press conference Wednesday that the City Council cannot remove members or force them to resign.

The Council can, however, can vote to strip members of official duties and their committee assignments.

District 8 Councilman Marqueece Harris Dawson said he was happy to see both Black and Brown folks show up to the first City Council meeting in mass numbers.

“This is an effort to divide us. Our communities live right next door to each other and so in times like this, it is good to see that we can come together,” Dawson said outside City Hall Tuesday morning.