CUDAHY, CA (AP) — In response to federal authorities conducting immigration searches in and around Los Angeles, the vice mayor of a small Southern California city has come under criticism for seemingly encouraging street gangs to band together.
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, stated in a social media video post that has since been removed, “I want to know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles.”
Now when the largest gang in the world is invading your hood, Gonzalez stated, “there ain’t a peep out of you because you guys are always tagging everything up and claiming hood.”
She also brought up two notorious street gangs, 18th Street and Florence, and asked why gang members were not speaking out against the immigration sweeps or protesting.
“Where are you?” she asked. “We’re out there fighting for our turf, protecting our turf, and protecting our people.”
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As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other government agencies take part in the Trump administration’s increased enforcement of immigration rules, it appeared from the video that Gonzalez was urging gang leaders to assist and organize.
Gonzalez’s remarks were deemed reprehensible by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a post on X including Gonzalez’s video, the department stated that she urges criminal gangs, particularly the ruthless 18th Street gang, to use violence against our courageous U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement. Attacks on our U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement agents have increased by more than 500% as a result of this type of trash. Secretary Noem has made it plain that assaulting a federal official will result in the harshest possible punishment.
A request for comment was not immediately answered by Gonzalez.
In a statement on Tuesday, the city of Cudahy acknowledged that it was aware of the footage.
According to the statement, the Vice Mayor’s remarks are her personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official stance of the City of Cudahy. The City won’t be commenting any more.
Approximately 10 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Cudahy is a 22,000-person suburb. 97% of the population is Hispanic, according to data from the U.S. Census.
