The Hand That Feeds

http://thehandthatfeedsfilm.com

Presented by Working Films and the New Economy Film Festival
 
At the Hot and Crusty cafe, residents of New York’s Upper East Side get bagels and coffee served with a smile 24 hours a day. But behind the scenes, undocumented immigrant workers face sub-legal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers who will fire them for calling in sick. Mild-mannered sandwich maker Mahoma López has never been interested in politics, but in January 2012, he convinces a small group of his co-workers to fight back.
 
Risking deportation and the loss of their livelihood, the workers team up with a diverse crew of innovative young organizers and take the unusual step of forming their own independent union, launching themselves on a journey that will test the limits of their resolve and potentially set a historic precedent for low-wage workers across the country. Winner of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival’s Audience Award, The Hand that Feeds is a powerful story that rises in suspense as it follows this union’s fight for justice. 

Organization that will be featured as part of the screening:

• BOSTON MOBILIZATION was founded in 1977 as part of a national movement for workers rights and smart green energy. Since then they’ve taken leadership and support roles in a wide variety of social justice campaigns. Their work continues with a focus on developing the next generation of social justice leaders, through powerful trainings, community organizing campaign work, mentorship of young leaders and a transformational youth program.
• INTELLIGENT MISCHIEF uses hackathons and creative interventions (hacks) to improve civic engagement strategies of low-income workers, youth and community organizations.
• MATAHARI is a greater Boston organization of women of color, immigrant women and families who organize as sisters, workers, and survivors for personal and societal transformation, justice and human rights.