Long Beach Dem Hopeful Begs 55 Gang Leaders to ‘Take Back’ City From ICE [WATCH]

Rogelio Martinez, who has identified himself as a candidate for mayor of Long Beach in the 2026 election, issued a public call for leaders of all 55 gangs in the city to meet with him at Long Beach City Hall, saying collective action is needed to address what he described as a crisis involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a recorded statement, Martinez said he is seeking an in-person meeting with representatives from every gang operating in Long Beach and specified that the gathering should take place on Monday at City Hall.

He framed the appeal as an effort to reclaim the city, arguing that current leadership and law enforcement are unable to resolve the situation he attributes to ICE activity.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

“My name is Rogelio Martinez. I am calling all 55 gangs in my beautiful city,” Martinez said.

“I expect a gang leader from every gang, all 55 gangs, and I’m not going to name them by name, but 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.”

Martinez said the purpose of the meeting would be to organize what he described as a unified response.

“I’m calling all gang leaders to meet me right here, Long Beach City Hall This coming Monday,” he said.

“Why Monday? Specifically, I need you to be here to meet me in person, to take back this city, because our leadership is not doing anything about it, and our police are powerless.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Martinez emphasized that he was not placing blame on the Long Beach Police Department, stating repeatedly that officers are not responsible for the situation.

“Once again. Let me be very clear. My name is Rogelio Martinez. Your 2026 long beach city mayor, and I need your help,” he said.

“I need to see 55 gang leaders here this coming Monday. We need to take back the city. Enough is enough.”

He said his goal was to push ICE out of Long Beach, describing the proposed meeting as the only method he believes could accomplish that objective.

“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,” Martinez said.

Martinez again stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as criticism of local law enforcement or support for defunding the police.

“And remember, the police are not at fault. The police are not doing anything wrong. I’m not here to defund the police,” he said.

“I stand with my Long Beach police officers, my men and women that serve the Long Beach Police Department, but they are powerless. They are powerless against ICE.”

He concluded by repeating his call for gang leaders to attend the meeting and said his motivation was preventing further detentions of residents.

“I need your help. I need all 55 gang leaders to meet me here this coming Monday, and we need to take back Long Beach,” Martinez said.

“Enough is enough. We cannot have any more innocent people be taken and detained.”

WATCH: