LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2022) – Words have weight. Silence is complicity. BizFed stepped up to call for accountability after hearing racist comments in a recorded conversation involving Los Angeles City Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, and Los Angeles County Labor Federation President Ron Herrera. BizFed leaders mobilized swiftly and voted to issue a statement calling for the immediate resignations of the three councilmembers.
The statement below can be attributed to Tracy Hernandez, Founding CEO of the Los Angeles County Business Federation “BizFed,” in response to questions about post-election priorities that require the Los Angeles City Council’s laser focus.
“As we lay the groundwork for productive partnerships with newly elected city leaders and members of the Bass administration, we call again for the resignations of Los Angeles City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo. Their involvement in a recorded conversation that included racist remarks is deplorable. Time alone will not heal the wounds caused by their divisive rhetoric. In order to move forward and conduct the business of the city with renewed focus and collaboration, the council must separate from all individuals involved in this scandal and support solutions that prevent councilmembers from drawing their own districts for political gain.”
