Los Angeles city council president’s racist comments about colleague’s Black son met with calls for her removal

The president of Los Angeles’ city council is under fire after leaked audio reveals her using racist language about another council member’s child.

Nury Martinez allegedly said “parece changuito,” or “like a monkey,” to describe Mike Bonin’s son, who is Black, according to The Los Angeles Times.

She reportedly made the comment last year during a discussion about redistricting in the city, claiming Bonin’s child had misbehaved on a float at a previous Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

“They’re raising him like a little white kid, which I was like, ‘This kid needs a beat down. Like, let me around the corner and then I’ll bring him back,’” Martinez can be heard saying.

She also referred to Bonin as a “little b—h,” according to the audio.

Martinez issued an apology Sunday.

“In a moment of intense frustration and anger, I let the situation get the best of me and I hold myself accountable for these comments. For that I am sorry,” Martinez said, according to the L.A. Times.

“The context of this conversation was concern over the redistricting process and concern about the potential negative impact it might have on communities of color. My work speaks for itself. I’ve worked hard to lead this city through its most difficult time.”

Another council member, Kevin de León, expressed his regret for taking part in the conversation, during which he seemingly likened Bonin’s parenting of the child to “when Nury brings her Goyard bag or the Louis Vuitton bag,” according to the newspaper.

“I regret appearing to condone and even contribute to certain insensitive comments made about a colleague and his family in private,” de León said. “I’ve reached out to that colleague personally.”

Bonin called for Martinez’s removal from office, saying she should resign as president immediately.

“We are appalled, angry and absolutely disgusted that Nury Martinez attacked our son with horrific racist slurs, and talked about her desire to physically harm him,” Bonin said in a statement. “It is vile, abhorrent, and utterly disgraceful.”

It’s unclear who recorded the audio or how it was leaked to the newspaper.