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A shocking message about the immigration raids was posted on Instagram by the elected official Cynthia Gonzalez, who serves as the vice mayor of the city of Cudahy, located in southeast Los Angeles County. The message isn’t for the federal government. It’s allegedly for the “cholos,” a slang term in the U.S. meaning gang members, in Southern California.
“I wanna know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles. 18th Street, Florencia. 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 if you’re not showing up right now trying to help out and organize,” Gonzalez said, according to the video.
The video has since been taken down.
ABC7 legal analyst Josh Ritter says Gonzales’ comments may not be legal line.
“When you’re dealing with a political leader calling upon criminal street gangs to take action, that takes on a far more sinister meaning and, perhaps, criminal meaning behind it. It is one thing to say local people of the neighborhood stand up for yourselves. It’s another thing to actually call out the names of different criminal street gangs and ask them to protect their neighborhood,” said Ritter.
Homeland Security posted the video on X, preserving it, with the following statement.
“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.
“This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers.
“Secretary Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
WATCH:
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.
This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase… pic.twitter.com/c7yX0xB5o7
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 25, 2025
The information listed is from ABC7.COM.
