Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez addressed the controversy surrounding her comments about immigration raids and Los Angeles gangs during a city council meeting on Tuesday. Gonzalez had previously posted a video on social media, now deleted, where she appeared to call on gang members to defend their neighborhoods from federal agents. The video sparked widespread criticism and calls for her resignation.
During the meeting, Gonzalez said, in part.
“I just want to take some time to address the short satirical TikTok video I made recently that drew national headlines and public criticism. To be clear, I created this video in my personal time and on my personal page. The message was not about violence; It was about regular people – us, Martin had joined me in one of these – claiming ownership of our streets in a time of great distress and asking others, who I mentioned in my video, in organizing and protesting against the harm and violence being inflicted on our community. I want to apologize to city staff, members of the council and my community that my video took attention away from the pain our communities are experiencing and brought unnecessary attention to our city.”
The video had drawn harsh reactions, including from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which labeled her comments as “despicable.” The Los Angeles Police Protective League also called for her resignation, citing concerns over her remarks. The DHS reported a significant increase in assaults on ICE officers, attributing part of the rise to rhetoric like Gonzalez’s, according to Newsweek.
Despite the backlash, Gonzalez maintained that her intention was to highlight community issues and not to incite violence. The City of Cudahy has distanced itself from her comments, stating that they reflect her personal views and not the official position of the city.
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