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Long Beach Candidate Faces Backlash Over Controversial Video

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Long Beach mayoral candidate Rogelio Martinez faced backlash after urging gang leaders to help remove ICE in a viral video.
He claimed conservatives threatened him after not calling on white gangs.
He stated he did not advocate violence and that he chose the number 55 arbitrarily.
The FBI called him to question his gang involvement.
Meta removed the video, which continues to circulate and drew Franzese's criticism; Martinez stays focused on local jobs.

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Story summary

Long Beach mayoral candidate Rogelio Martinez faced backlash after urging gang leaders to help remove ICE in a viral video.
He claimed conservatives threatened him after not calling on white gangs.
He stated he did not advocate violence and that he chose the number 55 arbitrarily.
The FBI called him to question his gang involvement.
Meta removed the video, which continues to circulate and drew Franzese's criticism; Martinez stays focused on local jobs.