BROWNSVILLE — Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. has joined several other elected officials who are condemning racial slurs made by Brownsville City Commissioner Cesar De Leon.
Treviño Jr. released a statement yesterday afternoon stating the remarks made by De Leon were uncalled for.
“I condemn these racist and divisive comments and stand with the Assistant District Attorneys that were attacked and with our African-American Community,” Treviño said.
On the recordings released last week on social media, De Leon can be heard using the F-word and the N-word to describe two black female assistant district attorneys who work for Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.
De Leon has since apologized for making the remarks.
Treviño said as long as he continues to serve as county judge, “we will strive to make everyone feel welcome in Cameron County and racist and derogatory comments by any community ‘leader’ will be condemned and not tolerated.”
On Tuesday, Mayor Tony Martinez and city commissioners Dr. Rose Gowen, Joel Munguia and Ricardo Longoria also stated that De Leon’s remarks violate the city’s character.
The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees, during its board meeting Tuesday, passed a resolution denouncing the statements made by De Leon. It was a 6 to 0 vote, with one board member abstaining.
In a statement, BISD said, “As a district we are disappointed that the audio recording included disparaging and inappropriate comments about BISD board members, legal counsel and administration, as well as racist statements. We neither condone nor support any of the comments found in the audio recording.”
Saenz also expressed his disappointment in the remarks aimed at his staff.
Several in the community are calling for De Leon to resign.
