Los Angeles City Council meets virtually again as protests continue outside de León's home

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles City Council met virtually for the second straight day Wednesday as it continues to grapple with the fallout from the City Hall racism scandal, and as protesters continue to demand the resignations of embattled Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo.

The scandal already has led to the resignation of former City Council President Nury Martinez and calls from President Joe Biden for those involved, which included de León and Cedillo, to step down.

De León told the Univision Spanish-language station that he will not resign amid an uproar over a leaked tape that revealed him participating in a meeting in which three city councilmembers made crude, racist remarks and plotted to expand their political power.

There was a small crowd of protesters outside City Hall Wednesday morning who demanded de León and Cedillo to resign.

RELATED: LA Councilman Kevin de León intends to keep his seat despite controversy

It was a quiet scene inside the City Council meeting as newly-elected Council President Paul Krekorian and several other members attended virtually due to COVID-19 concerns. De León and Cedillo were absent again.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, Krekorian again said the two councilmembers should resign.

The demands for resignations also continue just outside of de León's home in Eagle Rock. Protesters with Black Lives Matter have been camped out near the home and say they won't leave until de León is gone.

Some protesters feel the council shouldn't hold meetings until the councilmen resign.

The Council cannot expel members - it can only suspend a member when criminal charges are pending.

In his interview with Univision, de León told the station that he is "so sorry," and wants to continue working on homelessness and other problems in his district.

His statement was immediately criticized by other Council members pushing for his resignation.

"Apologies will not be nearly enough to undo the damage that this city has suffered," said Krekorian, who replaced Martinez in the leadership post. "The only way we can begin to heal as a city is for Mr. de León to take responsibility for his actions, accept the consequences and step down."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.