Fresno City College’s Associated Student Government (ASG) narrowly rejected an effort to impeach Sen. Rodney Marquez for making a comment in a student activities group chat that some found offensive.

Members voted seven for and six against the impeachment during the March 3 ASG meeting in the senate chambers of the student lounge. Due to student government bylaws for removal, the vote to remove Marquez failed since it didn’t meet the 3 /4 majority rule.

Reanna Carlson, ASG vice president, said a student in the group chat brought the comments to their attention.

“There was a message within a work group chat full of students who are in student activities,” Carlson said. “The message was inappropriate and raised concerns for the student body.”

Carlson declined to repeat the exact words of the comment, saying it should come directly from Marquez. “I think it’s his place to be transparent with the students,” Carlson said.

Marquez, who was at the center of the impeachment discussion, declined to comment.

Carlson said ASG members were “taken aback” when they first learned of the message and started to discuss whether the comments violated student government bylaws.

Carlson said Marquez knew the impeachment was being considered.

“He was aware of it because he had spoken to Dr. Martinez [advisor for ASG] about the statement and that there was a probability of him or a possibility of him being impeached,” Carlson said.

Some members argued that Marquez had acknowledged his mistakes and deserved a second chance.

“I do agree that he said something he shouldn’t have said, but he apologized for it,” Aidan Peña, ASG Treasurer said. “It takes a bit of heart to apologize, so we should consider that.”

Sen. Natalia Montelongo emphasized the seriousness of what was said.

“He said something full of hatred, full of bigotry and full of racism,” Montelongo said. “Especially with how the world is right now, that is unacceptable.”

But not everyone agreed. Inter Council Chair Gurbhagat Singh Bains said Marquez should be given another chance since he apologized for what he said.

“I do agree that he said something he shouldn’t have said, but he apologized not once but twice,” Bains said.

Sen. Esmeralda Garcia Lopez stressed the importance of keeping each other accountable in order to keep building trust with students.

“I don’t know how we can maintain and build that trust, when we have people in this room that say things like that,” Garcia Lopez said.

Sen. Gabriel Escheveste argued Marquez is sincere and should be forgiven.

“I’m not trying to justify what Rodney said, I felt like he kind of took it to heart,” Escheveste said. “Because at the meeting over there, he gave an apology, and it seemed more orchestrated, like he truly prepared for that.”

Carlson said events like this could damage ASG’s reputation when they should be representing the students.

“It will create distrust between the student body and ASG,” Carlson said

Sen. Jeremiah Sanchez said that the students’ trust should’ve been considered in the decision.

“We are the voice of the students, so regardless of how we feel personally about a person or a topic, the only thing that matters is how the student body would want us to represent them,” Sanchez said.

Carlson said the current political climate made this issue sensitive to handle. And the vote should’ve considered the context if this were something said towards a student.

“I think we do have to understand the tumultuous times we’re in,” Carlson said. “If this was a joke toward a student, that would be extremely unacceptable and we need to eliminate that possibility.”

Sen. Grace Boone who voted against the impeachment said that Marquez apologized for his mistakes and should be forgiven.

“I agree that what he said is not acceptable,” Boone said. “But the fact that he was able to recognize what was wrong about what he said, meant something to me personally.”

Carlson said this situation has highlighted the importance of accountability within ASG and for the council to prioritize the interest of the students.

“I think it has taught ASG that we need to put students first,” Carlson said.