The lawn next to the Vets Memorial Building at 4117 Overland saw hundreds of people gathered on June 29, 2025, to share anger, outrage and action over the disappearance of Enrique Lozano. The community’s long-loved paletero was taken by masked men into an unmarked vehicle last week. The afternoon press conference was crowded with cameras from local television stations, and Lozano family was selling the remains of his inventory.
Lead by Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, the crowd heard from Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Culver City council members Bubba Fish and Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, School Board President Triston Ezidore, Jorge Garza of LA Voice, a multi-faith organization and Mayor Dan O’Brien.
Puza began by offering the basics facts of the case. “With a heavy heart we are gathered here today…On Monday June 23, just before 1 pm, Enrique Lozano was selling paletas in front of Resurrection Church, a few blocks away from here… then taken by a masked man, forced in to [a vehicle] with no plates … the only thing left behind was his cart. Immigration enforcement should never look like kidnapping.”
Puza focused on the cruel illegality of the action, and reinforced that immigrants are essential to Cuvler City, saying “About 22% of Culver City’s population are immigrants, and we are better because of them. This is not about partisan politics. This is about human rights, legal rights, and the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Lozano’s niece, Kimberley Noriega also spoke, saying “I want to say thanks everyone for being here, this community is great. What has happened to my uncle is insane. We have each other’s back, and together we can do this.”
Culver City Council member Bubba Fish Offered “Nationalism does not make America great – we will not stand by while our neighbors are scapegoated.”
Fish also asked people to support two bills in Sacrament0; Senate Bill 627, the ‘No Secret Police Act’ that will ban any police officer from covering their face, and Senate Bill 805, the ‘No Vigilantes Act’ requiring officers to identify themselves.
Garza offered a broad perspective on what actions people can take. “We are asking that ICE get out of are community – and we are asking people to stand up and say something when they see something. [The ICE] tactics are cruel and illegal. Join a local Rapid Response Network , We have the power to end this cruelty.”
Lozano is one of many immigrants who has been taken from the community, but for many others, their names remain unknown at this point.
The Culver City Council has called a special meeting for this evening, June 30, 2025 at 7 pm to address the crisis.
Judith Martin-Straw
L to R – Culver City Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Culver City council member Bubba Fish, and Lozano family member Kimberley Noriega.
