In an unexpected turn of events, street vendors in Los Angeles found themselves on the front lines of community support during a recent clash between protesters and law enforcement.
Cinthia Soriao, Edgar Hernandez, and Sesarin Hernandez, who typically run an aguas frescas and hot dog stand, faced a chaotic scene on Sunday as protests erupted over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sweeps occurring throughout the city.
Set up near the Church of Our Lady Queen of Angels, the vendors suddenly shifted from selling refreshments to providing essential aid for those affected by police tactics, including tear gas and rubber bullets.
“We were in the middle of everything going on,” Edgar Hernandez recounted. “The cops were shooting tear gas and there was a point where the barrier was right here, and they were about to shoot us. We ducked under the table and a cop said, ‘Oh, they’re just selling.’ We got lucky.”
As hundreds of protesters marched through the streets, many of them suffering from the effects of tear gas, the trio quickly adapted to the dire needs of their clientele.
With an extra gallon of milk on hand, Soriao and the Hernandez brothers poured it into protesters’ eyes to help soothe the burn from tear gas exposure.
“This was the first time we had to use it like that,” Soriao said. “We thought everybody was gonna stay at the freeway, and then they came this way with fireworks. It was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s scary.’”
Despite an alarming atmosphere filled with chaos, the group chose to stay open longer than usual, remaining operational until 9 p.m. on Sunday to help sustain the protesters. “The business was so lucrative, we outlasted all other vendors on the stretch,” Edgar Hernandez noted.
While some vendors fled as violence escalated, Soriao and the Hernandezes pressed on, witnessing firsthand the turmoil brewing around them. Their vendor stand, sheltered by rainbow umbrellas, became a refuge amid flying objects and the sound of explosions.
The following day, on Monday, other vendors sought to rejoin the effort. Stefany Gonzalez typically sells bacon-wrapped hot dogs downtown but was advised by her mother to stay away due to escalating tensions on Sunday.
However, determined to support her community, Gonzalez returned on Monday to sell her hot dogs again during a peaceful rally at Grand Park demanding freedom for activist David Huerta, who had been arrested during the protests.
While many street vendors typically serve lunchtime office workers, they adjusted to cater primarily to the protesters, with Gonzalez expressing the importance of community support. “It is important to support the community,” Gonzalez stated.
“It’s a different environment this time around,” she reflected, contrasting her usual settings with the backdrop of social activism.
Justine Gonzalez, a former state Assembly candidate, found herself in need of refreshments while attending the rally in support of Huerta. She had been concerned about the availability of food or drink given how many local establishments were closed.
“I was so worried, everything’s closed,” she admitted. “I came today to support the protest and join it, but also I need to drink water, so I was really happy to find a vendor. I was worried how far I’d have to travel.”
She managed to discover Juan Lux, a frutero who typically sells by the Federal Building, now offering hot dogs and fruit amidst the rallying crowd in Grand Park.
Lux emphasized the importance of supporting the protesters. “I’ve done it before with other protests, and I’m just happy to be out here, helping out,” he said, surrounded by activists holding signs with messages like “Resist Fascism” and “ICE OUT.”
Throughout the weekend of unrest, street vendors demonstrated their resilience and commitment to the community.
Many of the usual patrons of these vendors stayed home amid fears of violence, but the adaptability of the vendors turned their food carts into vital lifelines. Providing food and drink, they not only managed to sustain public morale but also served as a remarkable reminder of community solidarity in times of conflict.
As Edgar Hernandez reflected on the weekend, he hoped their contribution would be remembered. “We hopefully make it in the history books as the only vendors here who stayed,” he said.
The weekend was marked by more than just food; it emphasized the role of local vendors in the fabric of community activism, highlighting how they can respond to needs that arise unexpectedly during moments of social upheaval.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-06-09/street-vendors-downtown-ice-protests-agua-fresca-milk-teargas
