Second censure attempt of Richmond mayor fails after he apologizes for controversial social media posts

RICHMOND — A second attempt to censure Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez failed Tuesday after the city’s top elected official apologized for sharing what he acknowledged were antisemitic social media posts.

The apology comes about a month after Martinez began receiving backlash for resharing posts on his LinkedIn account that contained conspiracy theories about Israel, Jewish people and a mass shooting in December at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration in Australia.

In addition to acknowledging the harm caused to the Jewish community in Richmond and the broader area by his actions, Martinez also apologized to those who felt they had to choose between standing by the mayor and concerns over antisemitism.

Martinez said he regretted compromising the Palestinian movement as well. The mayor has been a staunch advocate for Palestinians, but said he allowed his “valid criticism of Israel’s policies and actions to drift into incorrect and unsubstantiated claims.”

“Antisemitism is real. It is not abstract or theoretical. It creates fear, isolation and danger for Jewish people, including right here in Richmond. As mayor, my words carry weight. In this instance I failed to meet the responsibility that my position requires,” Martinez said Tuesday. “I regret the content I reposted and I am deeply sorry. Racism and bigotry of any kind have no place in our city.”

Martinez has apologized in various ways since his social media activity was first brought to light, but forming an apology that would be accepted by a large group of people is challenging, he said. The apology, drafted by Martinez with support guidance from Temple Beth Hillel Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller, was part of an item on the City Council agenda.

The item, approved with a 6-1 vote, also called for the council to acknowledge the effort Martinez has put into healing what pain he caused to the Jewish community through training and collaboration with Jewish religious leaders. Martinez will be required to meet with Saxe-Taller at least two more times, as part of the measure. Other councilmembers were also given the option to participate in antisemitism training.

“It’s an opportunity to hear each other, to learn from each other and to create a space in Richmond where we can teach how we can work together and how we can learn from each other, to really see each other as human beings and not with hate for one another,” Councilmember Claudia Jimenez said.

A separate item, drafted by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda and co-authored by Councilmember Jamelia Brown, would similarly require Martinez to participate in antisemitism training, but additionally included a censure element, which would have acted as a formal admonishment by the council.

The council was unable to take up Zepeda’s censure item because it has a mandatory 11 p.m. end time for meetings and the mayor’s item ended about 10 minutes before that deadline.

In an attempt to still force a vote on the censure, Zepeda proposed amending the mayor’s item to include a formal council admonishment. That proposal failed 3-4 with Zepeda, Brown and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson in support.

Brown, the lone vote against Martinez’s item, said offering trainings to all councilmembers without mandating it for the mayor and not censuring him absolved Martinez of accountability. She also criticized Tuesday’s votes as a “complete embarrassment” and “cowardly behavior,” during the meeting and reiterated her dissent on social media Wednesday, asserting councilmembers had participated in “quid pro quo and political bartering in real time.”

“While community members stood before us sharing real pain, fear, and harm, their voices were minimized, dismissed, and even berated. Instead of centering those who are hurting, the focus shifted to whose needs were being met behind the scenes. When governance turns into bargaining and backroom exchanges, the people lose – and last night, our community felt that loss deeply,” Brown said on social media.

The failed censure attempt didn’t come as a shock but picking up a third vote did, Zepeda said in a text message Wednesday. A third censure attempt isn’t currently in the plans but could be brought back to the table if the mayor reneges on his end of the deal, Zepeda said.

Robinson has firmly disavowed Martinez’s social media posts as antisemitic but did not support the first attempt to censure the Mayor because it contained what she said were “punitive” repercussions, such as removing the mayor from regional bodies and docking his pay. Both of those items were not proposed during the latest censure debate.

The public response to the scandal during recent meetings has been mixed. Martinez has received support from those who said he has done good for the city, is just in his advocacy for Palestinians and is being targeted by outside forces for his work around the cause.

But he has also been lambasted by critics who said he is unfit to serve in public office, including groups like the Jewish Community Relations Council and fellow elected officials. Dozens of Bay Area mayors, councilmembers and officials signed an open letter calling for Martinez to either sincerely work to repair his relationship with the Jewish community or resign.

Martinez has told this news organization he does not intend to resign and believes a censure would be used as a political tool against him as he runs for reelection this year.