The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), representing nearly 9,000 Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, has demanded the resignation and possible prosecution of Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez. This demand follows a controversial social media video in which Gonzalez appeared to encourage gang leaders to take action against immigration agents.
LAPD Sergeant Christian Wecker, a director within the union, strongly condemned Gonzalez’s statements. He said her remarks were reckless and crossed ethical boundaries. Wecker added that Gonzalez should lose her teaching credentials and face legal consequences for her actions.
In the now-deleted TikTok video, Gonzalez directly addressed gang members, saying, “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.”
Wecker described these comments as a dangerous call for violence directed at people already familiar with violence. He expressed shock that an elected official would urge street gangs to “take back turf.” He emphasized the difficult job law enforcement officers face and said rhetoric that encourages violence only makes their work harder. “Especially from gang members with a track record of killing cops,” Wecker added.
The union has voiced full support for any criminal investigations or actions led by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for California’s Central District. Gonzalez recently shared on social media that she was visited by FBI agents, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Wecker concluded that Gonzalez has crossed all ethical and possibly criminal lines. The union stands firmly behind any prosecution efforts, emphasizing the importance of accountability for public officials who promote dangerous behavior.