Richmond Mayor Faces Possible Censure by City Council After Bondi Beach Conspiracy Posts

That approach is reflected in a proposed censure resolution authored by Councilmembers Cesar Zepeda and Jamelia Brown, which they hope to introduce at a regular city council meeting Tuesday evening. Because the agenda was published early due to the holidays, Zepeda must first secure five votes to take up the item as an emergency measure. Without those votes, the resolution would be agendized later this month.

Zepeda has said the censure is meant to help repair harm, not to force the mayor from office. The proposal would require Martinez to meet with Jewish community leaders and members, and complete antisemitism and cultural sensitivity training. The proposal also calls for the mayor to make a charitable donation to a Richmond nonprofit aimed at bringing communities together.

Zepeda described the effort as personally difficult, saying he has lost sleep in recent days. “[Pursuing censure] is not easy. [It] takes a toll on both the individual receiving it and the individual. [It] should not be taken lightly, regardless of the outcome,” Zepeda said.

He emphasized that he does not intend to run for mayor and the move is not politically motivated, but a response to residents who say they feel unsafe.

Elsewhere in the Jewish community, opinions vary. Regional Jewish organizations are planning a rally outside City Hall calling for Martinez’s resignation, while groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace argue that education, not removal from office, is the appropriate response following the mayor’s apology.