California lawmaker breaks silence after controversial ICE comments
In the clip, Gonzalez seemed to encourage the city's well-known criminal gang members to get involved as federal immigration officers swept through Southern California neighborhoods. She now 'apologized' for her message and claimed the controversial Ti kTok video was merely meant to be 'a short satirical video.'
'The message was not about violence,' she said. 'It was about regular people ... 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.' 'Those that inserted a narrative of violence into my video weaponized it in a way that is totally inconsistent with my life's work,' she added.
In the since-deleted video, the councilwoman said: 'I want to know where all the cholosare at in Los Angeles ... you guys tag everything up, claiming hood, and now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.' 'It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up,' she said. 'We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people and, like, where you at?'
She was slammed for her comments online. The Department of Homeland Security labeled her remarks 'despicable,' while the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the LAPD union called for her immediate resignation.
'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. 'I also want acknowledge the stress and anxiety that this caused all of you, from getting hate emails to threats to everything else, which is completely uncalled for,' she continued. Pictured: A federal agent wears a badge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
'But I also want to assert my constitutionally protected rights to free speech and I'm committed to using my voice in a more responsible and still-powerful manner moving forward.' Her attorney, Damian J. Martinez, also issued a statement defending her actions.
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