California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis signed a letter asking Taylor Swift to cancel her tour dates in the state in "solidarity" with striking hotel workers.
"Hotels are making more money than ever, but many workers can't afford to live near where they work. Some of them even sleep in their cars between shifts. Others risk losing their homes," reads the letter Kounalakis addressed to the singer.
Letter to TS Final by Williams Perdomo
In the letter, the lieutenant governor acknowledges that Swift's concerts have a positive impact on California's economy. However, he rejected that this would also benefit hotels. "Workers say they are struggling to make ends meet. Your shows make our region’s hotels a lot of money," Kounalakis noted.
In addition, she told the American singer:
Hotel workers are fighting for their lives. Now, they are asking for your support.
Kounalakis, who aspires to succeed current Governor Gavin Newsom, also posted photos on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, of her on Taylor Swift's tour in Santa Clara, Calif., over the weekend. The singer is scheduled to perform six sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, starting Thursday through Aug. 9.
Long story short I went to the Eras Tour ✨ pic.twitter.com/YplE7dgJIa
— Eleni Kounalakis (@EleniForCA) July 30, 2023
For at least a month, hotel workers in California have been on strike demanding better wages, health care, housing benefits and reduced workloads. The first day of the strike was July 2, and demonstrations took place in front of several hotels in downtown Los Angeles.
