More than $100,000 was pledged Wednesday to assist a 62-year-old street vendor who was battered by an unidentified woman in an attack recorded on video in downtown Los Angeles.
Video has circulated online of the June 15 attack on Arabelia Martinez, which took place around 4 p.m. that day in the 700 block of Figueroa Street.
The vendor’s son told reporters the suspect harassed his mother, saying she had no legal right to be a street vendor and telling her to go back to Mexico, among other racially charged statements.
According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by her son, Martinez was “physically and emotionally shaken” as a result of the pummeling she received, and her hot dog cart and equipment were damaged.
Video showed part of the altercation, during which the vendor tosses something at the suspect after she began tampering with her hot dogs and cart.
“Since sharing what happened, so many kind and generous people around the world have already reached out wanting to help — and it has truly meant the world to our family,” he wrote. “All funds raised will go directly toward therapy and professional support so she can begin to heal emotionally and mentally.”
As of Wednesday, the fundraising effort had raised more than $106,000 toward a goal of $120,000.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the battery as the assailant remains at large.
Anyone with information that could help identify her was urged to call the LAPD’s Central Station at 213-486-6606.