L.A. city councilman says he's had enough of racist, sexist remarks at meetings Published article Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas speaks to the press after casting his vote at Hot and Cool Cafe in Leimert Park on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Getty Images) LOS ANGELES - In his first City Council meeting since the 2000s, Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas Tuesday chastised racist and sexist remarks by public speakers, which he said the governing body has had to hear for years. Ridley-Thomas was a councilman between 1991 and 2002, but legal disputes in recent years have ended decidedly in favor of the speakers, basically allowing them to say whatever they want under the protection of the First Amendment -- as long as they don't threaten anyone.