Bread & Roses presents a Screening of BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM
Date and Time
May 21, 2019 6:00 pm
Location
Takoma
235 Carroll St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20012
May 21, 2019 6:00 pm
Takoma
Join us at Busboys and Poets for a DC LaborFest screening and discussion of the film Building the American Dream.
In Texas, construction workers face the deadliest conditions in the country. This feature documentary follows three immigrant families who are rising up to seek justice and equality in an industry rife with exploitation.
This beautiful film shows how the cruel and the unscrupulous are willing to exploit undocumented workers. It shows the ugly tactic of wage theft in which companies refuse to pay workers and the cruel conditions that some workers face in unsafe workplaces in Texas. The film shares the heart-wrenching personal stories of some of the victims; it also shows the heroic work of the Workers Defense Project, which provides legal and political support for the workers. It shows their victorious campaign to win support for a Dallas ordinance that forced construction companies to provide workers with 10-minute break every 4 hours. The film presents the irony that many times these desperately poor workers are building the luxury high-rises for the wealthiest of Texans. Building the American Dream asks us to consider the cost of that American Dream which for many workers is really a nightmare.
Co-sponsored by LiUNA Local 11; Painters District Council 51, CSA's Building Futures/Women in the Trades and WILL Empower (Women Innovating Labor Leadership).
"An eye-opener about the abuse of workers whose immigration status makes them victims."
— The Hollywood Reporter
"Chelsea Hernandez tugs at our heartstrings and puts fuel to a fire of righteous anger."
— FilmThreat
FREE and open to the public; RSVP by clicking here.
Click here to view the trailers.
Bread & Roses is a monthly labor series that features a variety of events focused on workers and organized labor. Each month brings a new topic through interactive discussions, film screenings, and performances. The hope for these events is that attendees walk away with a greater understanding of organized labor, its role in shaping history and current relevance. The name "Bread & Roses" was inspired by a poem/song written by James Oppenheim that appeals for both fair wages and dignified conditions.
