California official criticized for appearing to call on gangs to intervene in immigration raids
June 25, 2025
The vice mayor of a tiny Southern California city is under fire after appearing to call on street gangs to organize in the face of immigration sweeps by federal agents in Los Angeles. Cynthia Gonzalez, vice mayor of Cudahy, criticized street gang members in a since-deleted social media post. She questioned why gang members weren’t out protesting or speaking up about the raids. The video seemed to suggest she was calling on them to organize and help out as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement of immigration laws. The city of Cudahy said Tuesday that the video reflected Gonzalez’s personal views and not those of the city.
