A street vendor in Los Angeles was physically assaulted last Monday while selling hot dogs, an incident her son alleges was fueled by racist remarks. The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed an investigation into the battery is underway.
Arabelia Martinez, 62, was reportedly working at her usual spot in the 700 block of Figueroa Street around 4 p.m. when another woman approached her food stand. Video footage of the altercation shows the woman pouring a condiment over Martinez's stand. Martinez appeared to respond by throwing a spice mix, identified as tajín, at the woman.
The situation escalated when the woman allegedly pulled Martinez to the ground by her hair and began to strike her. Bystanders attempted to intervene, but the assault continued for approximately one minute, according to reports.
Martinez's son, Constantino Garcia, stated that the attacker initially accused his mother of not being permitted to sell food in the area and attempted to extort her. He further reported that the woman engaged in a "racist tirade," including telling his mother to "go back to Mexico." Garcia described the remarks as deeply disturbing. He also shared on social media that the woman claimed Martinez was trying to extort her before making racist comments.
Martinez suffered physical and emotional distress from the attack. Her son reported that her belongings were damaged and that she was experiencing severe headaches, requiring a specialist consultation. As of Wednesday, she was still recovering and in need of rest.
A GoFundMe fundraiser established by Garcia to support his mother had raised approximately $96,000 towards its $120,000 goal as of Wednesday. Garcia described his mother as a hardworking and resilient individual who has sold food in downtown Los Angeles for years to support her family.
Sebastian Gutierrez, an Uber Eats delivery driver who arrived at the scene shortly after the brawl, reported that the woman accused of the assault appeared to be under the influence or experiencing mental health issues. He also stated that after the altercation with Martinez, the woman proceeded to overturn items from at least one other vendor's stand, including a hot dog cart and fruit cups.
The LA Civil Rights Department issued a statement acknowledging an "ongoing wave of threats, harassment, physical attacks, and robberies" targeting street vendors in the city. The department emphasized that many vendors are immigrants, seniors, and working parents who are striving to build a better future through their labor, and that no one should fear violence for earning a living.
The LAPD confirmed that the battery investigation is ongoing and could not provide further details. A TikTok user who claimed to be the woman involved in the altercation reportedly posted videos defending her actions, suggesting she reacted because Martinez threw something at her after she put chamoy on a hotdog.