Council members Nury Martinez, Kevin de León, and Gil Cedillo, and L.A. Labor Federation President Ron Herrera: The time is now

BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association President E. Toby Boyd issued a second statement in solidarity with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) calling for the immediate resignation of Los Angeles City Council members and a local labor leader.  (This statement is updated from Sunday evening.)

“We stand in strong solidarity with UTLA in calling for the immediate resignation of Council members Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, and L.A. Labor Federation President Ron Herrera. The time is now. Hearing the racist and anti-black discussion among Los Angeles elected leaders was painful, upsetting and indefensible. We share the family’s disgust and are deeply sorry for the pain Council member Mike Bonin, his family and others are feeling today.

“Communities of color have long experienced racism, discrimination and hate, but those actions should not be perpetuated by elected leaders or within the labor movement.  Our communities need leaders who embrace and celebrate our differences publicly, and behind closed doors.

“As a society, we must have zero tolerance for deliberately hateful speech and rhetoric of any kind, and especially when it’s directed at children. They deserve better.”

– E. Toby Boyd, CTA President

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.