The Los Angeles Police Protective League has called for Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez to resign following a contentious social media post where she invited “cholos,” slang for gang members, to take a stand against immigration raids. In her remarks, she expressed frustration over the perceived absence of leadership from local gangs amidst ongoing immigration enforcement actions, questioning their commitment to their communities.
Gonzalez’s post included a message where she urged gang members from neighborhoods like 18th Street and Florencia to mobilize, stating, “Now that your hood is being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain’t a peep out of you.” However, the post has since been removed.
In response to the uproar, the city of Cudahy released a statement clarifying that Gonzalez’s comments were her personal opinions and do not reflect the official stance of the city. Meanwhile, the FBI has refrained from commenting on whether there is an investigation regarding Gonzalez’s statements.
Her attorney defended her, stating that Gonzalez’s intention was to challenge the Latino community to engage in peaceful organization against immigration raids. Additionally, last month, Gonzalez was appointed as the new Director of UCLA’s Principal Leadership Institute. She had also recently participated in discussions at Los Angeles City Hall concerning immigration issues alongside other local leaders.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and discussions surrounding immigration policy and community response within Los Angeles, with hopes that such dialogues encourage peaceful activism and unity rather than division.