At the original 63rd Street Hot and Crusty café, 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 sublegal wages, dangerous machinery, and abusive managers.
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 livelihood, the workers team up with a diverse crew of innovative young organizers and take the unusual step of forming an independent union, launching themselves on a journey that will test the limits of their resolve.
In one rollercoaster year, they must overcome a shocking betrayal and a two month lockout. Lawyers will battle in backroom negotiations, Occupy Wall Street protesters will take over the restaurant, and a picket line will divide the neighborhood. If they can win a contract, it will set a historic precedent for low-wage workers across the country. But whatever happens, Mahoma and his compañeros won’t be exploited again.
“The Hand That Feeds” is the final film in this year’s Human Rights Film Series, the Center’s flagship film event that showcases the year’s predominant human rights documentaries throughout the month of October.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and exerts in the field. Watch the trailer below, check out the Human Rights Film Series page, and visit the “Hand That Feeds” website for more information.
This event will take place on October 22, 2014 from 7:00-9:30PM.
It is free and open to the public.
American University is committed to providing accessible programs and services.
For accommodations, contact [email protected]
Presented by the Center for Media & Social Impact
& the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law
Media Sponsorship by 
