There are calls for the resignation of a California official after she appeared to urge street gangs to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles.
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, a city in L.A., released a video on social media asking where members of the infamous street gangs “18th Street” and “Florencia” were.
Highlights
- Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez urged notorious LA gangs 18th Street and Florencia to respond to ICE raids in a now-deleted social media video.
- Her comments led to widespread backlash, with LAPPL demanding her resignation and prosecution for endangering law enforcement officers.
- The 18th Street and Florencia gangs are known for violence, including past murders of LAPD officers and attacks on ICE personnel.
The video was originally posted to her Instagram page but has since been deleted.
Cynthia Gonzalez appeared to urge street gangs to respond to ICE in a now-deleted social media post
Image credits: City of Cudahy
In the clip, she asks: “I wanna know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles. 18th Street, Florencia. Where's the leadership at?”
“You guys tag everything up, claiming hood and now that your hood is being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.”
“Dude, they’re running amuck all up on your streets and in your city,” she added.
In the video, Gonzalez says it's normal people who are “not about the gang life” that are protesting ICE raids across the city and speaking up.
“Don't be trying to claim no block, no nothing, if you're not showing up right now trying to help out and organize, I don't want to hear a peep out of you once they're gone,” Gonzalez said.
“Whoever is the leadership over there, just f**ing get your members in order,” she concluded.
The comments have been slammed by law enforcement agencies as “despicable,” with the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) calling for her immediate resignation.
LAPPL is also calling for Gonzalez to be prosecuted over the comments, which they say will put police officers at greater risk.
Image credits: Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar Loza
“The 18th Street and Florencia street gangs are notoriously dangerous Los Angeles-based criminal enterprises,” the LAPPL said in a statement.
“They rule their ‘turfs’ through intimidation, violence, and murder, and finance their operations through the sale of narcotics and illegal firearms, prostitution, and protection rackets.”
Both gangs have a known history of murdering police officers, the LAPPL said.
Recently, several Florencia gang members were convicted of the 2022 murder of LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos.
In 2001, it was reported that 18th Street put a bounty for the wounding or murder of LAPD officers, and in 1998, an 18th Street gang member murdered LAPD Officer Filberto Cuesta.
Anti-ICE protests broke out across L.A. earlier this month in response to raids
Image credits: David McNew/Getty Images
“What Ms. Gonzalez urged and taunted these specific gangs to do in her social media post puts police officers and other law enforcement professionals at greater risk,” the statement added.
“Her actions are deplorable and potentially illegal. She should resign and she should be prosecuted if what she called for broke the law.”
Homeland Security shared the video on its X page and described her comments as “despicable.”
“This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers,” the post read.
“Secretary Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Commenting on the footage, a senior ICE official said the “dangerous rhetoric” was fueling violence.
“A roving gang of murderers, rapists and drug peddlers are not going to protect American communities,” they added. “ICE and federal partners are working to protect public safety every day, contrary to the lies spread by disingenuous elected officials.”
Image credits: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Several media reports suggest that Gonzalez is now under FBI investigation for the comments, which have gone viral on social media.
In response to calls for her resignation, her attorney told NBC the suggestion that she “advocated for violence is categorically false and without merit.”
The comments were “a challenge to the Latino community” to peacefully join anti-ICE protests, the statement added.
It comes after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to L.A. in response to intense protests that broke out across the city after ICE raids earlier this month.
A total of 4,000 troops were deployed without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom to quell unrest, alongside 700 active-duty Marines.