Cynthia Gonzalez, vice mayor of Cudahy, California, shamed “cholo” gang members in Los Angeles for not combatting the efforts of the National Guard deployed by the White House to protect federal officers and quell riots over immigration raids.
Gonzalez made these comments in a TikTok post, which has since been deleted, but was captured by Fox.
“I want to know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles. 18th Street, Florencia,” Gonzalez asked in the video. “Where’s the leadership at? Now that your hood is being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain’t a peep out of you.”
“Don’t be trying to claim no block, no nothing,” Gonzalez further said. “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.”
In response to backlash over her post, Gonzalez said on Facebook, “I need a lawyer. The FBI just came to my house. It was about a TikTok that I made that went viral. Literally a TikTok.”
The FBI has yet to confirm if it is investigating the vice mayor.
A spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) condemned Gonzalez’s comments on X, finding her rhetoric “dangerous”:
“Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez calling for the vicious 18th Street Gang and others to fight federal law enforcement on the streets of Los Angeles is disgusting,” the spokesperson said. “This type of dangerous rhetoric from elected officials in California is fueling violence against those enforcing our nation’s laws who are already facing a 500% increase in officer assaults.”
The spokesperson also ridiculed Gonzalez’s petition to local gangs.
“A roving gang of murderers, rapists and drug peddlers are not going to protect American communities. ICE and federal partners are working to protect public safety every day, contrary to the lies spread by disingenuous elected officials.”
The Los Angeles Police Union is calling on Gonzalez to resign from her post.
