When Cynthia Soliao, Edgar Hernandez and Sesaline Hernandez set the Aguas Frescus stand with extra gallons of milk on Sunday morning, they never imagined using it to soothe tear gas burns a few hours later.
The trio sells hot dogs and aguas frescas from the historic La Plaza de Cultura Art next to the Church of Our Lady of the Angels. Most weekends their clients are made up of after service church people and baptism. On Sunday, they were protesters trapped in a dramatic clash between the Los Angeles Police Department and the National Guard, following a series of immigrants and customs enforcement sweeps across LA, when the brothers Soriao and Hernandez hid under the Duck-covered Fires, hid under the food stand and sucked in the monkey plasmilk that had sucked in the eyes of Hared’s entertainment.
Like multiple street vendors, the trio helped to nourish the city on over 70 arrests, extensive vandalism and an incredible weekend when they saw cars burn. Some vendors sold hot dogs on the 110 highway as protesters and law enforcement reached the highway on foot. Others have set up fruit carts near city hall. DTLA, which is not a Community Aid Group Food Bomb, has distributed free plant-based meals from bike trailers.
While serving top hot dogs of water, juice and pepper during the fight, Soriao and Hernandezes found themselves at the heart of action, the third day of Sunday’s protest.
Cinthia Soriao will bake a hot dog on her stand next to the Queen of Angels Church in Los Angeles on Monday.
(Stefanie Brejo/Los Angeles Times)
“We were in the middle of everything,” Edgar Hernandez said Monday afternoon. “The officers were shooting tear gas, there was a point where the barrier was here and they were about to shoot us. We went under the table and the officer said, ‘Oh, they’re just selling.’ I’m lucky. ”
Hernandez runs the stand with his girlfriend, Soriao and his brothers. Normally he said he would close his cart late in the afternoon, but the business was in such an advantage that staying until 9pm lasted longer than all other vendors, abandoning the handwritten signs of tacos and tamares when he escaped.
From behind a row of rainbow umbrellas and colorful drinks, the Aguas trio witnessed rubber bullets, explosions, tear gas, tagging and screaming for hours. Several unmanned Waymo taxis were on fire throughout the plaza.
“I didn’t know they were going to end here,” Soriao said. “We thought everyone was going to stay on the highway, and they came like this with fireworks.
Many of their regular clients were at home for fear of attending church on Sundays. However, when the vendors discovered they were serving new customers and protesters said there was limited means, Soriao and Hernandez gave them a discount.
Many people thirsted after a whole day of marching and activism, they said. Some approached with red eyes, and Bender poured excess milk into his face to alleviate the effects of tear gas. Many, Edgar Hernandez, rejoined the protest as soon as their eyes were treated.
“We hope to make it with a history book as the only vendor who has stayed here,” he said.
Stefany Gonzalez will grill a bacon-wrapped hot dog at Grand Park on Monday when he protested the release of union leader David Huerta.
(Stefanie Brejo/Los Angeles Times)
On the other side of the 101 highway, Stephanie Gonzalez sold bacon wrapped hot dogs in Downtown for three hours on Sunday. She was back at it until late Monday morning.
Gonzalez moved from El Salvador to Los Angeles and runs the food business with his mother who taught Gonzalez how to cook. Usually, young vendors set up carts near Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and often serve downtown office workers during lunchtime. Over the weekend, she discovered that the client was primarily a protester and when she saw people throwing things on a Sunday afternoon she felt she had to leave.
“It’s important to support the community,” Gonzalez said.
When she returned the next day, she found another kind of protest in downtown and headed towards the centre.
On Monday afternoon, Gonzalez sold bacon wrapped hot dogs and sheared Serrano peppers on the roads of Grand Park. Later that day, Fuerta was released from custody after being arrested in connection with an ice attack.
Former state legislative candidate Justin Gonzalez came to Grand Park to attend a Fuerta rally but was unable to find a nearby restaurant or coffee shop. Thankfully, she said there was a street vendor.
Juan Lux parked his cart selling fruit and hot dogs outside Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles.
(Stefanie Brejo/Los Angeles Times)
“I was very worried, everything is closed,” she said. “I came today to join in support of the protest, but I was really happy to find a vendor because I need to drink some water.
She found Fulterofuan Lux, which normally sells near federal buildings, but has gathered hot dog carts and fruit stands for gatherings at the corner of Grand Park next to Stanley Mosque Court House.
“It’s important to help protesters,” Lux said. Behind him, in the park, the crowd erupted banners and signs of “resisting fascism” and “outside the ice.” “I’ve done it in other protests before, and I’m happy that I’m here and helped out.”
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