SPNA’s Position on the Recent City Council Scandal

October 14, 2022

An Open Letter Regarding Former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo 

The South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) is the collective voice of the residents living in the South Park area of DTLA. We take pride in our neighborhood comprised with its rich culture, inclusive of all races and religions. As a group, we are outraged by the racially insensitive and inappropriate remarks made by former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, and Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo heard in the recording released this past weekend. We believe the hateful, hurtful, and racist comments have no place in public or behind closed doors.  We also condemn their discussions to undermine the voting rights of Angelenos and increase their political power.

We expect our neighbors to maintain values of acceptance and respect for people of all races and religions. We hold our elected officials to that same standard of ethics. Unfortunately, Martinez, de León, and Cedillo broke our trust to treat all equally, with respect and decency. We no longer support them and feel they are not the representatives to inspire our valued Los Angeles community. Therefore, the South Park Neighborhood Association strongly urge that L.A. City Councilmembers de León and Cedillo join Martinez and resign their positions, immediately. This behavior cannot be tolerated, and we as Los Angelenos deserve better from ourselves and from our representatives. 

Sincerely,

South Park Neighborhood Association

Cc: Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angles

      Mitch O’Farrell, Interim Los Angeles City Council President

      Claudia Oliveira, President Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council

      Ellen Riotto, Executive Director South Park Business Improvement District