An aspiring mayor in California has ignited a firestorm of controversy after publicly calling on dozens of gangs to unite and drive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of Long Beach. Rogelio Martinez, who is challenging incumbent Mayor Rex Richardson, posted a now-deleted video last week that quickly went viral, prompting widespread outrage and official investigations.
Controversial Call to Action
In the video, Martinez explicitly stated, 'I need to see 55 gang leaders here this coming Monday, we need to take back our city.' He appealed to gangs from all racial backgrounds to respond, emphasizing his goal to remove ICE from the city. Martinez clarified his approach by saying, 'Enough is enough, ICE needs to get out of Long Beach and this is the only way that I know how to get them out; peacefully, but with strong force, but peacefully.'
Immediate Backlash and Threats
The video triggered an immediate and intense backlash, particularly from conservative circles. Martinez reported receiving numerous death threats, which he attributed largely to MAGA supporters and white supremacists who felt excluded because he did not specifically call on white gangs. He remarked in an interview with the LA Times, 'I guess they were kind of hurt by that.'
Martinez explained that he recorded the video on January 30, a date marked by anti-ICE activists as a day of economic protest against the Trump administration's deportation policies. He uploaded it to social media to highlight ongoing ICE raids in Long Beach, though he insisted he did not advocate for violence against federal agents. Other posts from Martinez show him advising protesters to obey law enforcement, and he told the LA Times, 'There was not going to be any war between gang leaders and ICE.'
FBI Involvement and Video Removal
The controversy escalated when the Long Beach Police Department contacted Martinez, followed by a call from the FBI. A female agent questioned him about any communications with gang members, to which Martinez responded negatively. He claimed that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, removed the video without his consent, though versions continue to circulate on platforms like X, where they have attracted largely negative reactions, including accusations of treason and memes supporting ICE.
Context of Protests and Clashes
Martinez's video emerged amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where federal agents had an elevated presence. On January 30, protesters clashed with law enforcement outside a federal prison in downtown LA, leading to dramatic confrontations. Crowds faced off with police officers, who used pepper balls and tear gas to disperse them. In one incident, a protester struck an officer's shield with a skateboard, while police fired non-lethal rounds at the gathering.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued dispersal orders and reported that officers were met with bottles and rocks. According to the LAPD, eight arrests were made, including charges for failure to disperse, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and curfew violations. The LAPD described some protesters as 'violent agitators' who engaged in physical altercations with officers.
Martinez's Explanation and Aftermath
Martinez defended his choice of number, revealing that he selected 55 gangs purely because he is 55 years old, not based on any actual count of gangs in Long Beach. He expressed frustration that no one inquired about the origin of that figure. The Daily Mail has reached out to Martinez, Meta, and the Department of Homeland Security for further comment, but responses are pending as the story continues to develop.
