Over the last 48-hours, local leaders in Richmond have come out against Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez and are seeking his resignation.
The calls for resignation come from after Martinez posted false conspiracies online blaming Jews for the Bondi Beach terror attack which prompted an open letter by the JCRC Bay Area calling for Martinez to resign. However, now, Richmond Councilwoman Jamilia Brown is also calling for his resignation while Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia has called for a resignation should Martinez not issue a proper apology. City Council candidate Brandon Evans chimed in along with Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk — Update: Councilmember Cesar Zepeda said he supported a censure of Martinez (see comments below)
Hey Richmond…
I will not be silent or “wait for things to blow over” while members of our community say they are hurting. While, as a City Council, we cannot vote the mayor out of office—he is an elected official—the only paths forward are for him to voluntarily resign or for the public to pursue a recall or election process, (Charter and CA law). Acknowledging that reality does not absolve the council of our responsibility to speak truthfully about the harm being caused right now.
Some have said the mayor deserves an opportunity to correct his mistakes. The truth is, he’s had ample time—time to educate himself, to lead with respect and dignity for ALL people, and to stop engaging in rhetoric that harms members of our community. Instead, he has continued to make choices that deepen the wounds. That is not a lack of opportunity; that is a choice.
Others argue that voters can address this during his reelection. But the question we must ask is, should a community that is experiencing intentional or unintentional harm be told to wait months—or longer—for that harm to stop? The answer is hell no. We would never tell another marginalized community to wait after they’ve been violated, or im this case repeatedly. We have acted with urgency when immigrant families were being targeted. We have acted with urgency when Black communities faced discrimination. The Jewish community deserves that same urgency, clarity, and protection.
An apology does not erase harm or give one the ability to conveniently move forward at their discretion. Talk about privilege!! Also, time does not always ease pain, and silence certainly does not make it go away. The Jewish community cannot wait! And they should not have to. Our values demand that we take this/these matters seriously, now!
This failure to act with urgency is not limited to the Jewish community. The uptick in gun violence and the recent lives lost in our city demand public leadership, yet the mayor has remained largely silent. He has not spoken out, nor posted publicly, about the influx of violent crime that is affecting Richmond families daily.
As a Councilmember representing District 1, I cannot force him to resign. But I can be vocal as an independent thinker. Based on his proven track record of continued negligence, through actions, rhetoric, and narratives that he allows his personal beliefs to take precedence above his responsibilities to Richmond residents, I believe he has done enough for me to support his resignation. I believe his thoughtless choices and failures impede his ability to do the job Richmond deserves.
– CM Brown
Meanwhile, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia re-posted comments he made last week.
My Comments About Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s anti-semitic social media posts
Last Sunday I spoke at a Hanukkah event in El Cerrito where I said that “The only way to fight darkness is through light.” A video of my remarks is below.
That darkness can take the form of hate and anti-semitism like the tragic killing of 15 Jewish people by 2 terrorists at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. Darkness can also take the form of discrimination, racism, and hatred against immigrants. We must vigilantly fight all these forms of Darkness.
As a public official who grew up in our diverse West Contra Costa community, I strongly believe we must all speak out against divisive and hateful speech, whether it takes the form of racism or anti-semitism. As a County Supervisor, I have spoken out against both racism and anti-semitism. I also speak as the father of a Jewish daughter.
The recent social media posts by Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, which spread false conspiracy theories about the horrific terror event in Australia and blamed Jews for the killings, are deeply offensive, disrespectful, anti-semitic and unacceptable.
In the aftermath of these murders, which traumatized many people, elected leaders must bring community together and make ALL of our residents feel safe and respected. Mayor Martinez’s posts did the opposite, fueling divisiveness, and contributing to feelings of unsafety and vulnerability.
In order to be accountable and try to rebuild trust in the Mayor’s Office, I call on Mayor Martinez to make a genuine public apology at the next City Council meeting that demonstrates he understands how his actions and words hurt and harmed others. I also call on the Richmond City Council to censure him for his actions
Richmond City Council District 3 candidate Brandon Evans also called for the mayor’s resignation.
I rarely call for an elected official’s resignation, but leadership comes with responsibility—and recent actions by Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez cross a line.
The mayor has shared and amplified false and harmful conspiracy content that blames Jewish people for acts of terrorism. This rhetoric is dangerous, deeply offensive, and has no place in Richmond—especially coming from the highest office in our city.
I want to be clear: we stand in solidarity with members of our Jewish community. Antisemitism—whether overt or implied—cannot be normalized, excused, or minimized. Our Jewish neighbors deserve to feel safe, respected, and protected by their local government.
At the same time, we must also hold space for the very real grief over the innocent lives lost in Palestine. Mourning civilian deaths and calling for humanity, peace, and dignity for Palestinians does not require scapegoating or targeting another community. We can—and must—reject antisemitism and acknowledge Palestinian suffering without dehumanizing anyone.
Words from leaders matter. When those words fuel division or make entire communities feel unsafe, public trust is broken. Richmond is a diverse city built on inclusion, dignity, and mutual respect. When a mayor’s conduct repeatedly contradicts those values, accountability is required.
For these reasons, I believe Mayor Eduardo Martinez should resign. Richmond deserves leadership that brings people together, condemns hate in all forms, and stands firmly for the safety and humanity of all residents.
In a statement late Friday, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda said he supported a censure of Martinez.
I am deeply concerned by the mayor’s words and actions following the horrific mass murder of Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney’s Bondi area.
I’ve heard directly from residents, especially members of our Jewish community who are hurt, shaken, and afraid. What the mayor shared was antisemitic, dangerous, and deeply offensive. It made people feel unsafe, and that alone demands immediate accountability.
An apology does not erase harm. His response focused on posting “too quickly,” but failed to acknowledge or take responsibility for spreading unfounded antisemitic conspiracy theories. That omission matters.
This is not about a single post, a misunderstanding, or someone being “caught off guard.” It reflects a troubling pattern of behavior that shows a lack of care for how rhetoric and misinformation divide our community. Our mayor should work to unify, lead with compassion and recognize the very real fear and grief being felt by our Jewish neighbors and others impacted by this and other horrific acts of violence.
Over the past two days, I have spent time listening to members of the Jewish community, concerned Richmond residents, and others seeking clarity and leadership in this moment.
I share the call of many in our community for the official censure of Mayor Martinez. Our values require more than words. They require accountability.
Meanwhile, Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk also chimed in stating, “This is greatly disturbing. Especially as an elected official, it is reprehensible to spread dangerous falsehoods, and what’s more, in the wake of a horrific tragedy…that blames the victims.”
Martinez Does Issue Apology, Kind Of
Related
