Richmond City Council postpones vote to censure Mayor Eduardo Martinez over antisemitic social media posts
Emotions were high during Tuesday's Richmond City Council meeting. Members were considering whether to vote on censuring Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who has faced sharp criticism over a series of antisemitic social media posts.
The council voted against putting the resolution on Tuesday's agenda, instead pushing it back two weeks.
Martinez expressed his frustration over how the resolution was crafted and introduced.
"None of the people who put this on had any conversations with me about that. Instead, they chose to do something that they say is not punitive but it is punitive," Martinez said.
PREVIOUS STORY: Richmond mayor apologizes after flurry of shared antisemitic posts spark calls for resignation
Audience members were still able to participate in public comment Tuesday - which at times descended into people shouting at one another.
One of those who spoke was Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller, who heads Richmond's only synagogue.
She says the mayor reached out to her following the controversy and the two have scheduled time to talk later this month.
Saxe-Taller says she was disappointed in the disrespectful behavior of many during Tuesday's meeting.
"We actually need to be united. Richmond needs to be a place that is not only diverse, but united," she said.
Martinez's posts, many of which echo antisemitic conspiracy theories, have led to some groups like the Jewish Community Relations Council to call for his resignation.
"We want the mayor to take accountability for the harm that he's done. The Jewish community in Richmond is very small. It's a very small minority, and some of the things he's posted have made them really feel vulnerable," said the JCRC's Julia Mates.
But Mayor Martinez also has many supporters.
Some, like the Jewish Voice for Peace, say they believe Martinez is being targeted because of his support for the Palestinian people throughout the Gaza War.
"When these things happen, you deal with it through education and support. Not through isolation or silencing," said JVP's Seth Morrison.
The City Council is expected to take up the censure resolution at its next meeting on January 20.
