HOUSTON – A Houston city councilman is urging people not to donate to the Red Cross. In fact, Councilman Dave Martin said he "beg(s) you not to send them a penny."
After Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner delivered his report during the City Council's consolidated session meeting on Wednesday, Martin expressed his frustration with two things: the lack of response from New Orleans and the Red Cross.
“I find it highly unusual, ironic and depressing to watch the city of New Orleans give us not a damn thing," Martin said, prefacing his rant on the Red Cross. "The response from New Orleans has been zero."
Martin then introduced his second post-Harvey grievance as his "last rant," focused on the Red Cross.
Martin's remarks regarding the Red Cross can be read in full:
Now, my last rant will be on the Red Lost -- I’m sorry, the Red Cross. Because the Red Cross — if anybody wants to donate to the Red Cross, please call me. I beg you not to send them a penny. They are the most inept, unorganized organization that I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been in Kingwood fighting this thing and we have not seen one person -- not a single person from the Red Lost. Yet every time I turn on the TV they’re receiving multi, multi, hundreds of millions of dollars. What are you guys doing with it? How many contractors are you helping us with? So, to this day, many days after the hurricane hit, I have not seen a single person in Kingwood or Clear Lake that's a representative of the Red Cross. You know who opened our shelters? We did. You know who sent water and supplies? We did. People didn't have cots; we got them blankets. We didn't get a darn thing from the Red Cross. So, if anyone wants to send them money, don’t waste your time. Don’t waste your money. Send it to other causes.
Watch the full rant below:
In contrast, Martin commended the city of San Antonio for sending crews to Kingwood, the area Martin represents, to help with Harvey cleanup. Martin told those in attendance that "San Antonio folks" get to Kingwood around 6 a.m. and "don’t leave till it’s dark at night."
Martin took to Facebook on Wednesday to highlight efforts from San Antonio.
"Yesterday, September 5, they serviced 68 loads and 783 tons of storm debris, and they are continuing to pick up in our neighborhoods," the post said.
