LACC Swap Meet Faces Closure After Nearly 30 Years Due to ICE Raids

Dear Members of the Press,

We are reaching out with heavy hearts and an urgent plea for support as the LACC Swap Meet, a beloved Los Angeles institution for nearly three decades, faces the very real prospect of shutting its doors. Recent ICE raids have devastated our community, causing our vendor participation to plummet from 200 to just 30 and attendance to fall by 80%.

The LACC Swap Meet is much more than a marketplace. It is a vibrant gathering place for hardworking local vendors—many of whom are immigrants—who pay their taxes, support their families, and contribute to the fabric of our city. These vendors, along with our loyal customers, no longer feel safe coming out to the swap meet. Fear has replaced the sense of community that once defined our weekends.

The ripple effects of this crisis extend far beyond our parking lot. The LACC Swap Meet raises over $500,000 annually for the LACC Foundation, directly supporting over 17,000 students each year in achieving their educational dreams. Without the swap meet, this critical source of funding for scholarships and student support will disappear, impacting thousands of young people who rely on us.

We are asking for your help to shine a light on our story. We need the public, city leaders, and our elected officials to understand what’s at stake—not just for our vendors and customers, but for the entire Los Angeles City College community and the future of thousands of students.

Please help us amplify our call for compassion, safety, and support. The LACC Swap Meet has been a safe haven and economic lifeline for so many. We cannot let fear destroy what we have built together over nearly 30 years.

For more information or to arrange interviews with affected vendors, students, or organizers, please contact us at phillip@laccswap.com

Thank you for your attention and support.

Sincerely,