Latest news with #Cudahy
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
California lawmaker breaks silence after controversial ICE comments
A California lawmaker who sparked outrage after asking why Los Angeles gangs weren't confronting ICE raids has finally broken her silence. Cynthia Gonzalez, Vice Mayor of Cudahy, gave an unlikely excuse during a city council meeting Tuesday night, weeks after deleting the video that triggered immediate backlash. In the clip, Gonzalez seemed to encourage the city's well-known criminal gang members to get involved as federal immigration officers swept through Southern California neighborhoods. She now 'apologized' for her message and claimed the controversial Ti kTok video was merely meant to be 'a short satirical video.' 'The message was not about violence,' she said. 'It was about regular people ... claiming ownership of our streets in a time of great distress and asking others, who I mentioned in my video, in organizing and protesting against the harm and violence being inflicted on our community.' 'Those that inserted a narrative of violence into my video weaponized it in a way that is totally inconsistent with my life's work,' she added. In the since-deleted video, the councilwoman said: 'I want to know where all the cholosare at in Los Angeles ... you guys tag everything up, claiming hood, and now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.' 'It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up,' she said. 'We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people and, like, where you at?' She was slammed for her comments online. The Department of Homeland Security labeled her remarks 'despicable,' while the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the LAPD union called for her immediate resignation. 'I want to apologize to city staff, members of the council and my community that my video took attention away from the pain our communities are experiencing and brought unnecessary attention to our city. 'I also want acknowledge the stress and anxiety that this caused all of you, from getting hate emails to threats to everything else, which is completely uncalled for,' she continued. Pictured: A federal agent wears a badge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'But I also want to assert my constitutionally protected rights to free speech and I'm committed to using my voice in a more responsible and still-powerful manner moving forward.' Her attorney, Damian J. Martinez, also issued a statement defending her actions.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Woke Dem lawmaker's unlikely excuse after she called for LA's criminal gangs to stop city's ICE raids
A California lawmaker who sparked outrage after asking why Los Angeles gangs weren't confronting ICE raids has finally broken her silence. Cynthia Gonzalez, Vice Mayor of Cudahy, gave an unlikely excuse during a city council meeting Tuesday night, weeks after deleting the video that triggered immediate backlash. In the clip, Gonzalez seemed to encourage the city's well-known criminal gang members to get involved as federal immigration officers swept through Southern California neighborhoods. She now 'apologized' for her message and claimed the controversial Ti kTok video was merely meant to be 'a short satirical video.' 'The message was not about violence,' she said. 'It was about regular people ... claiming ownership of our streets in a time of great distress and asking others, who I mentioned in my video, in organizing and protesting against the harm and violence being inflicted on our community.' 'Those that inserted a narrative of violence into my video weaponized it in a way that is totally inconsistent with my life's work,' she added. In the since-deleted video, the councilwoman said: 'I want to know where all the cholosare at in Los Angeles ... you guys tag everything up, claiming hood, and now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.' 'It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up,' she said. 'We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people and, like, where you at?' She was slammed for her comments online. The Department of Homeland Security labeled her remarks 'despicable,' while the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the LAPD union called for her immediate resignation. She claimed that her intention was to spark discussion about protecting the community, not to encourage violent retaliation. 'I don't believe violence by anyone is ever the solution to any of our problems,' she said Tuesday. 'I want to apologize to city staff, members of the council and my community that my video took attention away from the pain our communities are experiencing and brought unnecessary attention to our city. 'I also want acknowledge the stress and anxiety that this caused all of you, from getting hate emails to threats to everything else, which is completely uncalled for,' she continued. 'But I also want to assert my constitutionally protected rights to free speech and I'm committed to using my voice in a more responsible and still-powerful manner moving forward.' The Department of Homeland Security labeled her remarks 'despicable,' while the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the LAPD union called for her immediate resignation. Her attorney, Damian J. Martinez, also issued a statement defending her actions. He said she was calling on Latino residents to join peaceful efforts and not encouraging violence. 'Importantly, Dr. Gonzalez in no way encouraged anyone to engage in violence,' he wrote. 'Any suggestion that she advocated for violence is categorically false and without merit.'
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Los Angeles-area vice mayor apologizes after facing backlash for video calling on gangs to stand up to ICE
Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez has apologized after facing backlash for a video she posted on her social media accounts calling on local gang members to stand up against immigration operations taking place across Southern California. At a City Council meeting Tuesday evening, Gonzalez read from a statement addressing the "short satirical TikTok video" that drew national attention. Gonzalez explained that she created the video during her personal time on her own account. She said her message was not about violence but about "claiming ownership of our streets in a time of great distress." In a video, Gonzalez was seen calling out gangs to stand up against the immigration operations taking place across the region. She didn't explicitly refer to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement by name. "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. It's everyone else that's not about the gang life and out there protesting and speaking up," Gonzalez says in a portion of the since-deleted video. Her video was posted weeks after immigration operations ramped up across the region, leading to protests and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officials. In response to Gonzalez's video, the Department of Homeland Security posted a statement on X. "The comments made by the Vice Mayor of Cudahy, CA, Cynthia Gonzalez, are despicable. She calls for criminal gangs – including the vicious 18th Street gang—to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement, the post read. "This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers." The city of Cudahy also shared a response to the video, saying that Gonzalez's comments did not represent the city's official position.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vice mayor who called ICE ‘the biggest gang there is' and for ‘cholos' to defend their territory should resign, cop union says
The vice mayor of a small city in California who called on the criminal 'cholos' of Los Angeles to stand up to raids on undocumented migrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is facing calls to resign, with the local police union calling her actions 'shameful.' In a clip posted to Instagram and then swiftly deleted, Cynthia Gonzalez, Vice Mayor of Cudahy, said: 'I want to know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles – 18th Street, Florencia Where's the leadership at? 'Because you guys are all about territory and, 'This is 18th Street, this is Florencia.' You guys tag everything up, claiming hood and now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.' Gonzalez appeared to be referring to ICE but does not name them in the video. She continued: 'It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up. We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people, and, like, where you at? 'Dude they're running amok all up on your streets, on your streets and in your city and, peep, when the big gang guns come in nothing but, like, quiet and we're out here, the regular ones that have never been jumped in out here calling things out and trying to organize. 'So don't be trying to claim no block, no nothing if you're not showing up right now trying to, like, help out and organize. I don't want to hear a peep out of you once they're gone, trying to claim that this is my block. This was not your block. You weren't even here helping out. So whoever is the leadership over there just f***ing get your members in order.' The L.A. Police Protective League (LAPPL) has reacted angrily and demanded Gonzalez's resignation. 'The 18th Street and Florencia street gangs are notoriously dangerous Los Angeles-based criminal enterprises,' it said in a statement. 'Both gangs have a known history of murdering police officers. In 1998, an 18th Street gang member murdered LAPD Officer Filberto Cuesta. Recently, several Florencia gang members were convicted of the 2022 murder of LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos. '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. Her actions are deplorable and potentially illegal. She should resign and she should be prosecuted if what she called for broke the law.' The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also responded to the video, reposting it on Tuesday evening with a statement calling Gonzalez 'despicable' and alleging that she was calling on the gangs 'to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement.' 'This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers. Secretary [Kristi] Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' the DHS said. The FBI has stated that it cannot currently confirm or deny whether an investigation into Gonzalez is underway. Still, spokesperson Laura Eimiller noted: 'Generally speaking, of course, the FBI condemns any calls for violence or targeting of law enforcement with violence.' The Independent has contacted Gonzalez for comment, but she has so far refused all media requests pertaining to the video. The City of Cudahy did issue a brief statement of its own in which it said: 'The comments made by the Vice Mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy. The City will not be providing further comment.' The Los Angeles Times has since quoted an attorney representing Gonzalez as saying that 'any suggestion that she advocated for violence is categorically false and without merit,' putting them at odds with the LAPPL and DHS in their interpretation of her words. The attorney continued: 'In her post, Dr Gonzalez issued a challenge to the Latino community: join the thousands of Angelenos already peacefully organizing in response to ongoing enforcement actions. 'Importantly, Dr Gonzalez in no way encouraged anyone to engage in violence.' Gonzalez's controversial video comes after weeks of controversy caused by federal raids on migrants in downtown Los Angeles, which saw local people hit the streets to protest and President Donald Trump call in the National Guard and deploy active-duty Marines to support local law enforcement against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Two weeks ago, Gonzalez joined other L.A. County mayors at a press conference hosted by Bass at City Hall to address ICE's actions.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Vice mayor who called ICE ‘the biggest gang there is' and for ‘cholos' to defend their territory should resign, cop union says
The vice mayor of a small city in California who called on the criminal 'cholos' of Los Angeles to stand up to raids on undocumented migrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is facing calls to resign, with the local police union calling her actions 'shameful.' In a clip posted to Instagram and then swiftly deleted, Cynthia Gonzalez, Vice Mayor of Cudahy, said: 'I want to know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles – 18th Street, Florencia Where's the leadership at? 'Because you guys are all about territory and, 'This is 18th Street, this is Florencia.' You guys tag everything up, claiming hood and now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.' Gonzalez appeared to be referring to ICE but does not name them in the video. She continued: 'It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up. We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people, and, like, where you at? 'Dude they're running amok all up on your streets, on your streets and in your city and, peep, when the big gang guns come in nothing but, like, quiet and we're out here, the regular ones that have never been jumped in out here calling things out and trying to organize. 'So don't be trying to claim no block, no nothing if you're not showing up right now trying to, like, help out and organize. I don't want to hear a peep out of you once they're gone, trying to claim that this is my block. This was not your block. You weren't even here helping out. So whoever is the leadership over there just f***ing get your members in order.' The L.A. Police Protective League (LAPPL) has reacted angrily and demanded Gonzalez's resignation. 'The 18th Street and Florencia street gangs are notoriously dangerous Los Angeles-based criminal enterprises,' it said in a statement. 'Both gangs have a known history of murdering police officers. In 1998, an 18th Street gang member murdered LAPD Officer Filberto Cuesta. Recently, several Florencia gang members were convicted of the 2022 murder of LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos. '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. Her actions are deplorable and potentially illegal. She should resign and she should be prosecuted if what she called for broke the law.' The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also responded to the video, reposting it on Tuesday evening with a statement calling Gonzalez 'despicable' and alleging that she was calling on the gangs 'to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement.' 'This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers. Secretary [Kristi] Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' the DHS said. The FBI has stated that it cannot currently confirm or deny whether an investigation into Gonzalez is underway. Still, spokesperson Laura Eimiller noted: 'Generally speaking, of course, the FBI condemns any calls for violence or targeting of law enforcement with violence.' The Independent has contacted Gonzalez for comment, but she has so far refused all media requests pertaining to the video. The City of Cudahy did issue a brief statement of its own in which it said: 'The comments made by the Vice Mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy. The City will not be providing further comment.' The Los Angeles Times has since quoted an attorney representing Gonzalez as saying that 'any suggestion that she advocated for violence is categorically false and without merit,' putting them at odds with the LAPPL and DHS in their interpretation of her words. The attorney continued: 'In her post, Dr Gonzalez issued a challenge to the Latino community: join the thousands of Angelenos already peacefully organizing in response to ongoing enforcement actions. 'Importantly, Dr Gonzalez in no way encouraged anyone to engage in violence.' Gonzalez's controversial video comes after weeks of controversy caused by federal raids on migrants in downtown Los Angeles, which saw local people hit the streets to protest and President Donald Trump call in the National Guard and deploy active-duty Marines to support local law enforcement against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Two weeks ago, Gonzalez joined other L.A. County mayors at a press conference hosted by Bass at City Hall to address ICE's actions.
