Car wash workers join forces with bikini-clad strippers to raise money for people hurt by ICE raids

An unexpected coalition of labor groups joined forces Friday to host a bikini car wash near MacArthur Park and raise money for car wash workers and their families who have been hurt by the ICE raids. The event was in collaboration with the Strippers Co-Op, the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center and CLEAN Wash Mobile Cooperative.

Los Angeles has seen over 88 car washes targeted by agents and over 260 workers detained, according to organizers. Some have signed a “voluntary” departure and are no longer in the country.

“A few of them are still fighting. More than 30 families are connected to us who are fighting that deportation, and we have been successfully able to bring three workers home,” CLEAN executive director Flor Melendrez said. “We wouldn't be able to do that if it weren't for our community support and all the efforts happening around us