Son asks for help after mother is assaulted in DTLA while selling hot dogs

Constantino Garcia posted a video on Instagram saying that his mother, Arabelia Martinez, was assaulted in downtown L.A. 

“My mom was assaulted earlier this week while she was street vending,” Garcia said in the caption. “If anyone has any info on who this person is, please lmk.”

Garcia said he is trying to organize an event on Saturday to sell hot dogs and aguas frescas. 

He had also posted about an event this Tuesday, June 23, but he later said it would have to be postponed since his mother is not feeling well. 

“My mom is not feeling well and needs rest to recover,” Garcia posted. ”Thank you everyone for the beautiful messages and prayers.”

The video shows a woman yelling at Martinez. Garcia said the woman told her she needed a permit and to “go back to Mexico,” as well as hurling other racist comments. When Garcia’s mother tried to defend herself, the woman approached her and proceeded to hit her. Several bystanders tried to stop the assault. The woman also destroyed Martinez’s stand and all the food. 

Content creator Carlos Eduardo Espina has also posted about the video. According to Espina, he spoke to Garcia and his mother is currently hospitalized due to injuries from the assault. 

CALÓ News reached out to Garcia and will update this story if we receive further information. 

“My mom has dedicated herself to her work every single day, rain or shine, to provide for our family,” Garcia said in the GoFundMe page he set up to help his mom. “She is one of the most resilient and loving people I know, and no one deserves what happened to her. The assault not only left her physically and emotionally shaken, but also resulted in damage to the items she works so hard to maintain.”