10/10/2022
We as Union del Barrio, a socialist political organization that defends and fights for the rights of the people of Nuestra America and of all oppressed peoples, strongly condemn the blatant colonial, racist, ignorant and self-serving statements gleefully expressed by LA City Council President Nury Martinez (Democrat) and her compinches; fellow Councilmembers Kevin Deleon (Democrat), Gil Cedillo (Democrat) and LA County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera (Democrat). The statements made by the Councilmembers that specifically attacked the African and Indigenous/Oaxacan communities are a clear display of their self-hatred and their colonized minds.
Union del Barrio, along with many other community groups throughout the greater Los Angeles area, have struggled tirelessly for decades to regenerate, improve and solidify the unity and solidarity between Black and Brown people. It is disgusting that as we prepare to celebrate Indigenous People’s day, we hear the true nature of these Hispanic neo-colonial leaders. For over 40 years we have stated publicly that Hispanic Democrats only represent themselves and the interests of their corporate sponsors who finance their campaigns. The masses of our people elect them because they mistakenly believe that voting for people who look like us will ensure that they represent our interest. The reality is that time and time again, Hispanic Democrats fail and betray our community. They do not speak for, nor represent the class interests of our people. Brown skin and Spanish surnames do not equate to “Brown Power.” The statements of Martinez, Deleon and Cedillo are the latest evidence that further validates our position.
We have now clearly heard their true intentions. These career politicians were caught strategizing about how to gerrymander (change the district lines for their political benefit) in order to hold on to power; not to combat homelessness, gentrification, inflation, poverty wages or any other problems that plague the communities that they claim to care about. Instead they insulted and attacked Africans, Mexicans, the LGBTQ+ community and dehumanized a Black child. When speaking in public, they veil their self-serving agenda with rhetoric about “helping poor Latinos” when in reality, they are only concerned about their salary increases and guaranteeing their reelection. The participation of Ron Herrera, the President of the LA County Federation of Labor, in these internal Democratic Party strategizing sessions demonstrates the corroboration between the capitalist leadership of the Democratic Party and co-opted leadership of organized labor.
We say ¡Ya basta!
These divisive statements by career politicians are an affront to the decades of work among Black and Brown communities to build unity and solidarity. However, let us be clear, the grossly reactionary and backwards way of thinking of these “community leaders” DOES NOT represent the principles and values of the Black and Brown community.
Because of the hateful nature of the statements of Martinez, Deleon and Cedillo, Union del Barrio calls for their immediate resignation from the LA City Council. Ron Herrera should also resign his position because of his participation in that racist and anti-worker discussion. He cannot be the face and representation of hundreds of thousands of workers in LA County. The working class deserves better!
To be clear, we are not siding with any other Councilmember on this issue. We believe that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats on the Council represent the best interests of working class African, Indigenous or the masses of working people in Los Angeles. We stand in absolute solidarity with and in defense of the dignity of African, Oaxacan/Indigenous, LGBTQ+ and children of color. Only together can we overturn our relationship with this awful two-party political system (Republicans and Democrats) that does not represent our class interests. Replacing these disgraced politicians with other Democrats of color will not represent a solution or any substantial change; just a continuation of this neo-liberal and neo-colonial political system.
Union del Barrio- Los Angeles
