October 10, 2022
Heart of LA Democratic Club’s Statement on Audio Recordings of LA City Councilmembers’ Conversation
Sunday, October 9, the LA Times reported on an audio recording of a discussion among Los Angeles City Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin De Leon, and Gil Cedillo, and Los Angeles Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera. Soon thereafter, excerpts of that recording were made public. Several comments made were vile and racist, especially as directed toward Black and Indigenous Angelenos, including Councilmember Mike Bonin’s young son. There are no circumstances that excuse that behavior, it is unacceptable and it is wrong. Additionally, this recording brings to light what we had suspected was true at the time - that there was a deliberate effort to carve up the district represented by Councilmember Raman, who had won her election without the support of the Los Angeles political establishment, and about other power dynamics at play in the redistricting process that concluded last year. Councilmembers Martinez, De Leon, and Cedillo, and Mr. Herrera, have failed us, and they must be held accountable with real consequences to follow - whether through resignation, or removal from office.
Critically, the comments made in private made public through the publication of this recording shine a light on problems endemic to the political environment in our city, our county, and our state. Namely, seeking power for power's sake, the lack of checks on that power, and the willingness to engage in bad behavior and look the other way when one’s political allies engage in bad behavior - that is also often infused with racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of systemic oppression of historically marginalized people.
The Heart of LA Democratic Club’s mission has always been to make the Democratic Party and its elected officials responsive to, and responsible for, the needs of all people, particularly, though not exclusively, women in our community. Our group has long been an independent voice in politics that leads with our feminist values. We believe that our politicians work for us, their constituents. As such, their power should always come from the people they represent, not backroom deals that they make with each other, or with special interests. We look forward to continuing to elevate public servants who share our values and demonstrate political courage, for years to come
Critically, the comments made in private made public through the publication of this recording shine a light on problems endemic to the political environment in our city, our county, and our state. Namely, seeking power for power's sake, the lack of checks on that power, and the willingness to engage in bad behavior and look the other way when one’s political allies engage in bad behavior - that is also often infused with racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of systemic oppression of historically marginalized people.
The Heart of LA Democratic Club’s mission has always been to make the Democratic Party and its elected officials responsive to, and responsible for, the needs of all people, particularly, though not exclusively, women in our community. Our group has long been an independent voice in politics that leads with our feminist values. We believe that our politicians work for us, their constituents. As such, their power should always come from the people they represent, not backroom deals that they make with each other, or with special interests. We look forward to continuing to elevate public servants who share our values and demonstrate political courage, for years to come
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ABOUT THE HEART OF LA DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Founded in March 2017, the Heart of L.A. Democratic Club was created in recognition of the growing awareness within the Democratic Party that women should be fully and equally represented in local, state, and national politics. The Heart of L.A. Democratic Club is open to all Democrats who subscribe to the club’s goals and purposes regardless of their gender identity. The mission of the Heart of L.A. Democratic Club is to help make the Democratic Party and its elected officials responsive to, and responsible for, the needs of all people, particularly, though not exclusively, women in our community. In addition to endorsing candidates and organizing for those candidates, the Heart of L.A. Democratic Club actively participates in issues advocacy, community outreach, and voter education. The Club’s monthly meetings feature guest speakers such as Democratic elected officials and candidates, and experts in policy areas of interest to women - including reproductive justice, homelessness, voter registration, immigration, criminal justice reform and more. For more information about The Heart of LA Democratic Club, visit online: Website: HeartLADems.org. Facebook: Facebook.com/HeartLADems Twitter: @HeartLADems Instagram: @HeartLADems |
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