The Executive Board of American Federation of Musicians Local 47 condemns the appalling anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, homophobic comments made during a meeting of now-former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León, and now-former Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera.
The hateful language used during this meeting, held within the walls of the House of Labor, was entirely unacceptable, as was the very nature of the meeting itself — scheming to disenfranchise Black and Asian voters by way of redistricting, the practice of which is deeply rooted in racial discrimination. These are not the values of the labor movement, nor are they the values of Angelenos. The only way forward is to demand accountability and swift action in the face of racism, homophobia, and bigotry, and to work for inclusion and solidarity.
Herrera’s resignation from the labor federation was wholly appropriate, and the continued presence of these three Los Angeles City Council members will only serve to create further division and pain in our already hurting communities. AFM Local 47 demands the immediate resignation of Cedillo, de León and Martinez, whose sentiments do not represent the residents of Los Angeles and the ever-growing and powerful labor movement.
