Woman Gets Death Threats For Fighting Alleged Corruption In Cudahy

CUDAHY (CBS) — A community activist in the city of Cudahy who has been spearheading a campaign against corruption in her city, says she'll continue speak up in spite of receiving death threats.

"They told me I needed to stay quiet because there was a bigger organization that was going to take care of me if I didn't keep quiet," Blanca Ramos told CBS2/KCAL9 reporter Carter Evans.

Ramos has been speaking out since three officials — City Council member Osvaldo Conde, Mayor David Silva and Angel Perales, who runs the city's Code Enforcement Division — were arrested on bribery and corruption charges.

Initially, Ramos figured she'd made a political enemy when she was confronted, but she didn't expect to be threatened.

A man reportedly told her members of the 18 Street gang were working from jail, as well as her neighborhood, and that "you don't want your children without a mother."

But those threats haven't stopped Ramos, who's now meeting with friends and other activists from neighboring cities to help determine what her next move will be.

Ramos and other witnesses filed a police report and gave investigators a description of the man who threatened her life.

The Cudahy resident says she hopes her courage will convince more people to speak up against corruption in the city.

"I encourage everyone in Cudahy to get involved get informed and stand up for their rights," Ramos said.

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