Nearly a week after a beloved ice cream vendor was detained by federal agents, hundreds of community members and political leaders gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to demand his release and raise funds for his legal defense.
Ambrocio Lozano, known locally as “Enrique,” was taken from his ice cream cart last week in what witnesses described as an operation involving masked agents in unmarked vehicles. The vendor had sold popsicles and “paletas” — frozen treats made with fresh fruit — at the Culver City park for nearly two decades.
“Right now my uncle, with so many people out here. This is so inhumane what’s happening to a lot of people. It’s not OK,” said Kimberly Noriaga, his niece, during Sunday’s rally.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized the manner of the detention, saying Enrique “was snatched, kidnapped, by folks masked in unmarked cars with no warrants.”
Community members described Lozano as generous, often giving free paletas to children who couldn’t afford them. While acknowledging he was not a U.S. citizen, supporters emphasized he posed no threat to the community and had no criminal record.
“The whole community is here, supporting my uncle, not only my uncle, the ‘paleteros,’ everybody in the community we grew up with,” said Mariela Neri, another niece.
Family members are collecting character statements to petition for a bond hearing in Texas, where Lozano is being held. His niece Mayra Segura expressed optimism about securing his release, saying, “Once we post bond for him and he’s out, we know he’s going to be okay.”
Advocates reported that Lozano has been denied food, exposed to freezing conditions and prevented from receiving visitors at the detention center.
During the rally, community leaders advised residents on their legal rights during immigration encounters, including asking for badge numbers, judicial warrants and whether they are free to leave.
LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell urged the community to prepare: “Everybody needs to think through if you were standing next to Enrique, what would you have done? Have a plan!”
A GoFundMe page has been established to help with bond money and support for Lozano’s family, who have lost their primary income source.
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