In Los Angeles on June 19, a protestor is seen holding a sign. The demonstration is in opposition to President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies. The focus of the protest is an abandoned ice cream cart that has become a symbol of resistance in a west Los Angeles neighborhood. The cart belonged to a beloved ice cream vendor, Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano, who was arrested by federal agents while on his usual route in Culver City. Residents, who had known and cherished Lozano for over 20 years, were shocked by his sudden disappearance. They described him as a bright presence in the neighborhood, with many fond memories of enjoying his ice cream.
The news of Lozano’s arrest spread rapidly on social media, prompting a wave of support from immigration advocates, residents, and lawmakers. Local grassroots organizations such as Siempre Unidos LA shared his story and launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover his legal fees and living expenses. The campaign quickly surpassed its initial goal of $6,000, reaching over $57,000 after gaining national attention.
The response to Lozano’s arrest reflects a new strategy adopted by residents of Los Angeles County in opposing the mass deportation efforts of the Trump administration. Rather than large-scale protests at federal buildings, the focus has shifted to local neighborhoods and communities. Grassroots organizations are mobilizing through social media to share information about immigration arrests, organize protests, support affected families, and raise funds when needed.
Despite the challenges posed by the immigration crackdown, families like Lozano’s have found comfort in the outpouring of support from their communities. Lozano’s niece, Kimberly Noriega, expressed gratitude for the unexpected solidarity they received from Culver City and beyond. An event in support of Lozano is planned for Sunday in Culver City, where his remaining ice cream and popsicles will be sold before they go to waste.
Lozano is just one of over 1,618 individuals in Los Angeles who have been arrested by federal authorities as part of the recent immigration enforcement efforts. The widespread detentions have created fear among the estimated 1.4 million undocumented residents in Southern California. The impact is visible in empty day laborer sites, missing taco trucks, and wasted produce in fields due to workers’ fears of reporting for duty.
The community’s response to Lozano’s situation highlights the power of local solidarity in the face of immigration challenges.
In Spanish-speaking communities, parishioners without proper legal status have been advised to stay home instead of attending church services. A pastor from a church in Los Angeles recently shared a video showing a husband and wife of Iranian descent being arrested by federal agents on a street in west L.A. During the encounter, the woman experienced a medical emergency, which was captured on video by the pastor and widely shared on social media. Activists who viewed the video hurried to the hospital where the woman was being treated and recorded their interactions with federal officials both inside and outside the medical facility. The woman was discharged from the hospital into federal custody, and the viral video has served as a warning to the Iranian community that immigration officials are active in the area, as reported by NBC News.
Liz Ramirez, the founder of Siempre Unidos LA, which initially shared the image of Lozano’s ice cream truck, mentioned that the proliferation of videos has naturally evolved, with no signs of slowing down. She emphasized that every activist group has a specific message in mind and target audience. Siempre Unidos focuses on mobilizing individuals from the comfort of their own homes. Another organization, Union del Barrio, posted a video on Instagram showing four federal officers detaining a U.S. citizen. The family of Andrea Velez claimed she was wrongly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and falsely accused of obstructing them during an immigration raid in downtown Los Angeles. Velez was charged with assaulting a federal officer and released on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for July 17. Additionally, Union del Barrio shared a video showing Los Angeles police officers cooperating with immigration officials, which received criticism from activists.
The Los Angeles Police Department explained that officers were responding to a reported kidnapping and encountered a hostile crowd upon arrival. The department reaffirmed its longstanding policy, dating back to 1979, of not participating voluntarily in immigration enforcement. Ron Gochez, a member of Union del Barrio, stated that numerous volunteers patrol the streets daily and review hundreds of video submissions per week. Only content that can be verified through legal channels or firsthand accounts is shared by the group. Gochez affirmed the group’s commitment at a rally in downtown Los Angeles, emphasizing their enduring presence.
Centro CSO, a grassroots organization situated in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of east Los Angeles, highlighted that its social media audience has more than doubled since the spring raids began. Similar to Siempre Unidos, Centro CSO posts videos submitted by residents witnessing immigration-related incidents and arranges protests to spotlight specific cases. Organizer Gabriel Quiroz Jr. mentioned that the group relies on community members to provide information about immigration actions via text, which they use to alert vulnerable residents. Quiroz emphasized the community’s trust in their work and dedication to advocating for justice.
