A California teacher and city council member who called military members “a bunch of dumbsh—s” during an in-class rant last month has refused to resign despite a impending recall effort.

Pico Rivera Councilman Gregory Salcido, a teacher at El Rancho High School, was recorded trying to persuade a student not to join the Marine Corps after high school, saying, “We’ve got a bunch of dumbsh—s over there … They’re not like high-level thinkers, they’re not academic people, they’re not intellectual people; they’re the freaking lowest of our low.”

The comments sparked outrage in the community and Mr. Salcido was placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation was underway. The city council passed a resolution Tuesday night condemning Mr. Salcido’s rant and asking for his resignation, but Mr. Salcido remained defiant.

“I’m not anti-military,” Mr. Salcido said in his first public appearance since making the comments Jan. 26, the Whittier Daily News reported. “I am pro-education.”

Mr. Salcido reportedly refused to put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance prior to Tuesday’s meeting. He told the city council and community members that he was sorry to anyone his comments may have hurt, but he did not apologize for the remarks themselves, CBS News reported.

“My goal as it relates to my students is to get them to do everything to get to college,” he said. “I wanted to challenge them to reach their academic potential.”

More than 50 people spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, demanding that Mr. Salcido resign. The councilman showed no emotion or reaction as dozens of speakers spoke out against him, the Daily News reported.

“America: Love it or leave it. That’s the bottom line,” said Raul Rodriguez, a 76-year-old Army vet, CBS News reported.

“A classroom is a place of learning, not propaganda,” said Dennis Jackson.

Mr. Salcido said he was unaffected by the backlash.

“I will sleep good tonight,” he told a local reporter. “I’m not offended by that, because I’m not those things. That’s why I wouldn’t resign.”

The council does not have the power to remove him from office. There is now a recall effort underway led by fellow El Rancho High School teacher Raul Elias, CBS Los Angeles reported.

#GregorySalcido speaking after #PicoRivera City Council votes on censuring him and asking for his resignation.Nearly 300 in attendance. 55 spoke on his anti-military comments. pic.twitter.com/MCP4CYlxH9 — Sandra Molina (@MolinaSGVN) February 14, 2018

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