Yer Out!

Antonia Ramirez made her presence known at the November 24 meeting of the San Diego city council. Ramirez, an impassioned middle-aged blonde female of Mexican descent, commented on nearly every agenda item during Tuesday's meeting, and during each comment, council president Ben Hueso cut the feed from her microphone, reminded her to stay on topic, and to cease from using profanity while addressing the council. During one agenda item, Ramirez accused councilmember Tony Young of discriminating against Mexicans, which resulted in Hueso ejecting her from council chambers.

As Ramirez approached the podium for a discussion to declare December 1 as Nonprofit Management Solutions Day, Hueso reminded her of the protocol: "I want to ask you if you can speak to the item itself."

"Again, being censored. I know they are pulling your cord again, Mr. Hueso. I have no strings around my neck. I'm no ones...puppet...I'm nobody's butt-kisser," responded Ramirez.

Later, after Ramirez delivered an embittered diatribe on the city's affordable housing program, she was called once more to speak on the issue of announcing a state of emergency on Mexico's policy of discharging raw sewage into the Tijuana River. As soon as her name was called, councilmembers could be heard chattering in the background.

"I'm disappointed, as a Mexican, there are those of us that are not corrupted," said Ramirez in a thick Mexican accent before looking over at councilmember Tony Young. "And, Mr. Tony Young, I don't censor you because you're black, okay; respect the Mexican. Maybe someone needs to tell you that. I respect you when you speak."

Hueso then cut the microphone feed once again. "Please speak to the item. We have given you an opportunity, please take it..."

"Hueso, I'm not the butt-kisser..."

"Maam, you're really out of order. Okay, Maam, we are going to ask you to leave now."

Two officers then escorted Ramirez out of council chambers and the council voted in favor of expanding the state of emergency for the Tijuana River and proceeded onto the next agenda item.