Long Beach California Mayor, Rogelio Martinez, Calls For 55 Local Gangs To Come Together And Confront ICE

A Long Beach mayoral candidate is drawing intense scrutiny after issuing what critics describe as a reckless and potentially dangerous call for gang involvement in opposing federal immigration enforcement.

Rogelio Martinez, who is running for mayor of Long Beach, California, posted a statement urging local gang leaders to mobilize against Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of his push to make the city “ICE free.” In the message, Martinez explicitly called on gangs to organize and appear in person at City Hall, language that opponents say amounts to an invitation for confrontation with federal authorities.

“I am calling every gang leader in Long Beach to help me take back the city,” Martinez wrote. “Long Beach needs to be ICE FREE. I need your strength, support and leadership. If you love Long Beach like I do let’s show the world what COMMUNITY looks like. I expect to see 55 gang leaders in front of City Hall this Monday at 5pm.”

According to critics, Martinez’s call was not vague or symbolic. He specifically targeted Latino, Cambodian, Filipino, Black, and Pacific Islander gangs, urging them to meet in person to plan what he described as resistance to ICE operations in the city.

The language immediately set off alarms among law enforcement observers and political critics, who argue that invoking organized street gangs and calling for “strength” and “leadership” crosses a dangerous line. While Martinez framed the effort as a show of community solidarity, gangs in Long Beach have long been linked to violent crime, narcotics trafficking, and intimidation.