Long Beach Mayor Calls for Inquiry into ICE’s Use of Force

Mayor Rex Richardson of Long Beach, California, has demanded an independent investigation into the use of force by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This follows a video showing federal agents restraining a man, Ricardo Gonzalez, who local officials claim was injured during the incident.

Ricardo Gonzalez, a resident of Long Beach, father, and former city employee, was involved in the encounter with federal agents. The video displays Gonzalez pinned down in a gutter, audibly claiming that his arm is broken.

In a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, Richardson expressed strong disapproval. “I am outraged by the reported treatment of Mr. Gonzalez,” he wrote. “A federal badge is not a license to brutalize people, disregard their constitutional rights, or deny medical assistance to someone in need.” According to Gonzalez, he is a U.S. citizen, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The Department of Homeland Security defended ICE’s actions, stating that officers adhered to their training, using the “minimum amount of force.” They said the operation aimed to arrest an “at-large criminal illegal alien,” which was disrupted by protesters who threatened officers and attempted to damage government vehicles.

“ICE did NOT hit an individual on a bike. An individual was arrested after he smashed the mirror of a government vehicle. Resisting arrest is dangerous and can result in injury,” DHS stated on a public platform. They are investigating potential charges related to the damage.

Richardson’s complaint highlighted the federal agents’ alleged failure to provide medical assistance. “During the encounter, he reportedly was subjected to repeated Taser use, forcibly restrained, and sustained significant injuries,” Richardson noted.

Gonzalez’s daughter, Leslie Gonzalez, provided more details via a fundraising platform. She claimed her father was struck by an unmarked federal vehicle while riding his e-bike, tased twice, and pinned to the ground. He is in the hospital, receiving treatment for serious injuries.

“My Dad is one of the hardest-working men,” she wrote. “Because of him, I have a roof over my head and opportunities around me. What ICE did was not right.”

Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, serving Long Beach, also condemned the actions, stating that ICE agents broke Gonzalez’s arm. “ICE agents brutally attacked and broke the arm of a North Long Beach resident and U.S. citizen,” Garcia stated. “The videos are horrific and should concern not just our community but the country.”

On Saturday, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) was called by federal immigration officials for emergency assistance due to vehicle vandalism and a medical aid situation. Responding officers found an apparent disturbance involving ICE agents. They discovered a handcuffed, bleeding man. The police took Gonzalez to a fire station, removed the handcuffs, and ensured he got to a hospital.

The LBPD stressed that its officers did not engage in immigration enforcement and made no arrests during the incident. They worked to defuse the situation and encouraged people to leave the area.