CUDAHY — A member of the City Council has come under fire for a social media video post advocating for “violent street gangs to confront peace officers.”
Cynthia Gonzalez, who currently serves as vice mayor of the small Southeast Los Angeles County city that has a population of 22,800 people, is reportedly facing a federal investigation for the video that was posted — and later removed — to her Facebook page.
In the video, obtained and re-posted online by Fox News’ Bill Melugin, Gonzalez asks where all the “Cholos” are at amid the federal enforcement operations, and she specifically references the 18th Street and Florencia 13 gangs, saying, “Now that your hood’s being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there’s not a peep out of you.”
She references the territorial nature of street gangs, and says, “Don’t be trying to claim no block, no nothing if you’re not showing up right now, trying to like, help out and organize. I don’t want to hear a peep out of you once they’re gone, trying to claim ‘This is my block.’ This was not your block. You weren’t even here helping out. So whoever’s the leadership over there, just [expletive] get your members in order.”
Gonzalez, who is a running for a seat on the Los Angeles Community College District board next year, could not be reached for comment.
The city of Cudahy issued a statement June 24 distancing itself from the video.
“The city of Cudahy is aware of recent comments made by Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez on social media. The comments made by the vice mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the city of Cudahy,” the statement said.
Melugin reported that federal sources have confirmed the investigation into Gonzalez’s video, which was posted sometime last week but later deleted. Gonzalez also appeared to confirm the investigation with a Facebook post in which she wrote, “I need a lawyer. The FBI just came to my house. If anyone wants to support please DM me.”
The union that represents Los Angeles police officers called for “the immediate resignation and prosecution” of Gonzalez for what the union called “her shameful social media video post.”
“The 18th Street and Florencia street gangs are notoriously dangerous Los Angeles-based criminal enterprises. They rule their ‘turfs” through intimidation, violence and murder, and finance their operations through the sale of narcotics and illegal firearms, prostitution, and protection rackets,” a letter issued by the board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League said.
“Both gangs have a known history of murdering police officers,” the letter continued. “In 1998, an 18th Street gang member murdered LAPD Officer Filberto Cuesta. Recently, several Florencia gang members were convicted of the 2022 murder of LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos.
“In 2001, it was reported that 18th Street put a bounty for the wounding or murder of Los Angeles police officers. What Ms. Gonzalez urged and taunted these specific gangs to do in her social media post puts police officers and other law enforcement professionals at greater risk,” the letter added. “Her actions are deplorable and potentially illegal. She should resign and she should be prosecuted if what she called for broke the law.”
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a statement, “Per FBI policy, I am unable to confirm or deny an investigation. Generally speaking, of course, the FBI condemns any calls for gang violence or targeting of law enforcement with violence.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also condemned the comments.
“The comments made by the vice mayor of Cudahy, Cynthia Gonzalez, are despicable,” the department said in a June 24 post on X. “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% increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers.
“[Homeland Security] Secretary [Kristi] Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Gonzalez is serving her first term on the Cudahy City Council after being elected in November 2022. She is employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District as the director of pilot school support and innovation.
