‘Resign IMMEDIATELY’: Twitter erupts as S.A. politicians react to Mario Bravo, Ana Sandoval incident

People shared reactions on social media throughout the weekend to District 1 City Councilman Mario Bravo’s recent verbal tirade against District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, which led to his suspension Friday from his council committee assignments. An independent investigation has been launched into the incident, and Bravo has issued written apologies for what happened. Bravo lit into Sandoval, his former romantic partner, before the start of the Sept. 15 City Council meeting because she ultimately declined to support his plan to devote most of a $75 million CPS Energy surplus to weatherization, resiliency centers and an expansion of the city’s tree canopy. He said her vote illustrated why they broke up and why he didn’t want to have children with her, leaving Sandoval in tears.

“She put the knives in my back!” Bravo shouted at one point, according to an account given by one eyewitness. Reaction on social media was swift and pointed. “Glad the mayor has removed Bravo from all committees,” San Antonio civil rights and political activist Rosie Castro posted on Twitter. “Signed the petition last night to have him resign. What an immature abusive childish response to losing on a vote. Que Mal educado.” Castro is the mother of Congressman Joaquin Castro and former San Antonio mayor and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from San Antonio, also weighed in. “Councilman Bravo needs to resign IMMEDIATELY,” Gonzales posted on Twitter. “His behavior crossed the line and a half hearted I’m sorry email won’t fix it.” Another tweeter countered that Bravo’s behavior didn’t rise to the level of abuse. “No, telling someone they’re essentially a sellout snake to their purported values and that’s why you don’t like them anymore is not abuse,” Julio Valle posted on Twitter in response to Rosie Castro’s comments. “It’s unprofessional for sure. But Sandoval wants to be mayor and is typical rubberstamp, neoliberal handouts to big biz politician.” District 2 City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez also shared his reaction on Twitter without using Bravo’s or Sandoval’s names. “I’m committed to being an ally, and that means showing up in the way that I’m needed,” McKee-Rodriguez wrote. “There is very real pain caused by harmful behavior and that is more important to me than proving how superior one’s politics might be to another’s.”