Culver City gathers to support a paleta vendor detained by federal immigration agents

Residents of Culver City are gathering later today to show their support for a paleta vendor detained by federal immigration agents. The rally and fundraiser takes place at Veterans Park starting at 12:30 p.m.

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano was taken away by federal agents last week while he was working outside of Resurrection Free Will Baptist Church in Culver City. His popsicle cart was left abandoned in the street.

According to the city, the cart was recovered shortly after by community members and the Community Self-Defense Coalition, a network of organizations established in the wake of the ICE sweeps.

Shock waves through the community

For more than a decade, Lozano has been a familiar face in the community selling popsicles out of his hand-pushed cart.

“If kids didn’t have money, he would give [paletas] out to them for free and say, ‘Hey, you can pay me later,’” said Freddy Puza, the Vice Mayor of Culver City.

The detainment is not the first immigration enforcement action to hit the community, Puza said earlier this month at least two men were taken from a car wash in the majority white enclave at Los Angeles County’s western edge.

“This is the second one in our city that’s really just impacted us, and I think the community’s just really hit hard.” Puza said

With the detainment of Lozano, Puza said the community is facing up to the reality that these detainments are likely to continue.

“This is here and it’s in our community. And we’re really terrified and scared,” Puza said.

Where’s the paleta man?

Initially Lozano’s family had no idea where he was taken, but was able to confirm after a day that he was held at a federal detention center.

Lozano’s family has since visited him in detention, according to Puza, characterizing the conditions as "harsh."

His family told Puza that Lozano hasn’t been getting a lot of food in the overcrowded facility, and that visits were limited to around five minutes a day.

Lozano is originally from Mexico. His family would prefer he be allowed to stay in the U.S.

Every popsicle counts

Kimberly Noriega, Lozano’s niece, organized an event to sell the remaining paletas in his cart. That fundraiser has grown into today’s community rally with support from the city government.

The funds will go toward his bond and funding the legal services Lozano will need to attempt to stay in the country.

Details

The gathering starts at 12:30 p.m. at Veterans Park in Culver City, a frequent stop along Lozano’s route. A program with speakers from the community will follow at 1 p.m.