Across Texas, an unstoppable construction boom drives urban sprawl and luxury high-rises. Its dirty secret: abuse of immigrant labor. Texas construction workers face the deadliest conditions in the country, and Chelsea Hernandez’s new film, Building the American Dream, captures a turning point as a movement forms to fight widespread construction industry injustices.
Grieving their son, a Mexican family campaigns for a life-and-death safety ordinance. A Salvadoran electrician couple owed thousands in back pay fights for their children’s future. A bereaved son battles to protect others from his family’s preventable tragedy. A story of courage, resilience, and community, the film reveals shocking truths about the hardworking immigrants who build the American Dream, of which they are excluded.
A post-screening conversation with Hernandez will explore how organizations are working together on innovative solutions to address labor injustices and worker rights in the United States.
A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Speakers
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Claudia Golinelli
Speaker
Claudia Golinelli is an electrician featured in Building the American Dream.
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Chelsea Hernandez
Speaker
Chelsea Hernandez is a Mexican–American filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. Her work focuses on the perspectives of ordinary people challenging injustices and the status quo.
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Nadia Marin-Molina
Speaker
Nadia Marin-Molina is co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
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Rinku Sen
Moderator
Rinku Sen is the president and executive director of Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation.
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Susan Zakaib
Speaker
Susan Zakaib is grant manager for the Workers Defense Project.
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