Simi Valley Woman Arrested for Assaulting Vendor

Julie Christine Sanchez, a 56-year-old Simi Valley woman, was arrested after she assaulted a seven-month pregnant street vendor named Mary near Torrance Street and Brandon Avenue. The confrontation, partially captured on video, included racist remarks, demands for Mary to 'speak English,' and accusations of lowering property values. Sanchez, reportedly upset about unpermitted vending and purportedly about the sale of unsafe food, pushed Mary's cart, causing her to fall and suffer abdominal bruising. Doctors have confirmed that both Mary and her unborn child will recover. Civil rights attorneys representing Mary have filed a lawsuit and are urging the Ventura County District Attorney to pursue hate crime charges in addition to the battery charge. The incident has prompted community support for Mary and renewed attention to the challenges faced by immigrant street vendors.