Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is advocating for an independent investigation into the conduct of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after an encounter involving Ricardo Gonzalez. The confrontation with federal agents has raised concerns after video footage showed Gonzalez being restrained and handcuffed, reportedly resulting in injuries.
The incident, which took place on a Saturday, involved ICE agents and a man identified as Ricardo Gonzalez, a Long Beach resident and former city employee. The video depicts Gonzalez pinned in a gutter, screaming that his arm was broken.
I am outraged by the reported treatment of Mr. Gonzalez.
Richardson expressed his anger over the situation in a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General. He stressed that a federal badge does not permit the mistreatment of individuals or the neglect of their constitutional rights, including the denial of medical assistance.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Gonzalez informed Richardson he is a U.S. citizen. In response, the DHS defended the actions of ICE officers, stating that the agents adhered to their training and used the minimal necessary force during the operation. The operation aimed to arrest a criminal illegal alien but was reportedly disrupted by protesters, according to the DHS statement. The agency clarified that ICE officers did not harm an individual on a bike and that the arrested person damaged a government vehicle.
Potential charges related to damage to the government vehicle are under investigation by the DHS. Richardson’s complaint also highlighted an alleged lack of medical assistance from the federal agents.
According to Richardson, Gonzalez was subjected to repeated taser use, forcibly restrained, and sustained significant injuries. His daughter, Leslie Gonzalez, started a GoFundMe campaign describing her father’s experience, claiming he was struck by an unmarked federal vehicle, tased twice, and left severely injured, requiring hospitalization. She emphasized her father’s hardworking nature and criticized ICE’s actions.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, representing Long Beach, echoed these concerns, stating that ICE agents broke Gonzalez’s arm. He described the videos of the incident as troubling for the broader community and the country.
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) reported that federal immigration officials requested emergency help on the day of the incident due to vehicle vandalism and a person needing medical assistance. Upon arrival, officers encountered a disturbance involving ICE agents and located a bleeding, handcuffed man.
Gonzalez was taken to a nearby fire station by police, where his handcuffs were removed, and fire personnel transported him to a hospital for treatment. Additionally, LBPD officers worked to calm the situation and disperse the crowd. The police department clarified that their officers did not engage in immigration enforcement or make any arrests.
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