California official criticized for appearing to call on gangs to intervene in immigration raids

[ad_1] LOS ANGELES — The vice mayor of a small Southern California metropolis is beneath fireplace after showing to name on road gangs to prepare within the face of immigration sweeps by federal brokers in and round Los Angeles.

In a video submit on social media that has since been deleted, Cynthia Gonzalez, vice mayor of Cudahy, referenced two well-known road gangs and questioned why gang members weren't protesting or talking up concerning the immigration raids. She stated bizarre residents are those on the streets protesting the presence of federal brokers.

"You guys tag the whole lot up, claiming hood, and now that your hood's being invaded by the largest gang there may be, there ain't a peep out of you," Gonzalez stated.

She referenced "18th Road" and "Florence," two notorious road gangs, and seemed to be talking on to their members. She stated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers are "operating amok all up in your streets."

"We're on the market combating our turf, defending our turf, defending our folks and, like, the place you at?" she stated.

The Division of Homeland Safety known as Gonzalez's feedback "despicable" and stated the remarks will contribute to rising assaults towards federal ICE brokers.

"She requires legal gangs — together with the vicious 18th road gang — to commit violence towards our courageous U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement legislation enforcement," the division stated in a submit on X that included Gonzalez's video. "Secretary Noem has been clear: For those who assault a federal officer, you may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the legislation."

The Los Angeles Occasions reported that the police union, formally generally known as the Los Angeles Police Protecting League, known as for the vice mayor's resignation and doable prosecution.

"What Ms. Gonzalez urged and taunted these particular gangs to do in her social media submit places law enforcement officials and different legislation enforcement professionals at better threat. Her actions are deplorable and doubtlessly unlawful. She ought to resign and she or he ought to be prosecuted if what she known as for broke the legislation," the union stated.

Gonzalez didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

The video comes as President Donald Trump's administration has aggressively stepped up immigration arrests within the Los Angeles space in current weeks. Brokers from ICE, in addition to Border Patrol, have been seen arresting and detaining folks at their workplaces, and Trump has deployed the Nationwide Guard and Marines to guard federal buildings and guard officers making arrests.

The remarks seem to interrupt with main California officers — together with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass — who've urged residents to peacefully train their First Modification rights.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Legal professional's Workplace for the Central District of California, which incorporates Los Angeles County, declined to remark when requested if Gonzalez was beneath investigation.

In keeping with her biography on the town's web site, Gonzalez grew up in close by Huntington Park, the daughter of immigrant dad and mom. She has two daughters.

She acquired a bachelor's diploma from the College of California, Santa Barbara. She later earned two grasp's levels in schooling from the College of California, Los Angeles, the place she additionally earned an academic management doctorate, the web site stated.

Gonzalez has labored for the Los Angeles Unified Faculty District as a trainer and college principal within the LA space and is at present the director of pilot faculties help and innovation, the biography stated.

It says Gonzalez "is obsessed with creating wholesome and protected communities that enable college students and households to steer wholesome and significant lives."

The college district stated in an emailed assertion, "As of June 1, 2025, Cynthia Gonzales has been on a go away of absence. We're conscious of the scenario and are wanting into it in accordance with district coverage. Nevertheless, as a result of confidentiality of personnel issues, we're unable to additional touch upon this."

The town of Cudahy stated in a press release Tuesday that it was conscious of the video.

"The feedback made by the Vice Mayor replicate her private views and don't symbolize the views or official place of the Metropolis of Cudahy," the assertion learn. "The Metropolis won't be offering additional remark."

In keeping with county data, Gonzalez was elected in 2022 with 880 votes. Municipal elections in California are nonpartisan — get together labels don't seem on the poll.

Cudahy is a Los Angeles suburb that's residence to 22,000 residents, about 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) south of downtown LA. In keeping with the U.S. Census knowledge, 97% of residents are Hispanic or Latino.