A 60-year-old hot dog and fruit vendor who was attacked in downtown Los Angeles spoke Monday about the assault and the support she has received from family and the community in the aftermath.
Arabelia Martinez, who said she has been a street vendor since 1996, also urged other vendors who have faced violence to come forward by reporting crimes to authorities and supporting each other. She joined family members, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, other city and county leaders, and members of social justice organizations at a news conference outside Los Angeles City Hall.
“To all street vendors, know we should not stay silent,” said Martinez, speaking in Spanish at the news conference. “Take me as an example. We are all human beings, and we are here to do our job. All street vendors have the dignity to work here. We can all make a change.
“Everyone here has dignity and should be able to work with freedom in this country.”
Martinez also thanked first responders for their help after she was attacked June 15 after an argument with a 19-year-old woman at her vending cart near 7th Street and Figueroa. Harmunie Heaven Church was arrested and charged with felony assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury and vandalism causing $400 of more in damage. The charges include a special circumstances allegation of great bodily injury, which can increase penalties at sentencing.
Church pleaded not guilty at her arraignment. It was not immediately clear whether Church has an attorney who could speak on her behalf. Bail was set at $105,000. Church faces up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
Police told NBCLA that Church initially approached Martinez and asked to see a vending permit before an argument erupted over a hot dog purchase. In video shared on social media, a woman appeared to squirt what appears to be sauce onto hot dogs cooking on Martinez’s grill cart. The vendor appeared to throw some type of red or orange powder toward the woman.
“They got into an argument, a very loud argument,” Hochman said Monday. “Now, in our society, if you want to argue over fruit or hot dogs, that’s fine. But what you cannot do… is engage in acts of assault.”
The situation turned into a physical confrontation during which Martinez was taken to the ground. Witnesses rushed in to break up the fight.
“It’s been heartbreaking for me to see my mom suffer,” Martinez’s son Constantino Garcia said Monday. “To the victims I say, it’s ok to be scared. God will hold you by the hand and guide you through this whole process.”
Garcia earlier said Martinez continues to suffer from severe headaches and pain throughout her body and that she may need treatment from a head specialist. He added that his mother is emotionally traumatized and is not expected to return to work soon.
The LAPD identified Church by videos she allegedly posted to social media, claiming to defend herself.
Hochman said his office is still investigating whether hate crime charges will be filed.
NBCLA has attempted to contact Church, but has been unable to do so.