In support of the launch of the NYC Food Delivery Movement Coalition, the Illuminator collaborated with El Workers’ Studio to create an event communicating the injustices endured by NYC food delivery workers, who are largely excluded, immigrant workers. Threatened by street violence, vulnerable to getting hit by cars, subject to traffic penalties, targeted by bike thieves, unprotected by police, and disrespected by low/no tips and unable to even use the restroom in restaurants they are delivering food for, NYC food delivery workers only saw these circumstances exacerbated by the 2020-2021 Coronavirus Pandemic. Los Delivery Boys came together to patrol certain city areas to protect these essential workers braving harsh weather and risking their lives to feed people throughout the city.
The NYC Food Delivery Movement Coalition joined forces with the Laundry Workers Center and the NYC Department of Transportation for the Convivio and Critical Mass at the Willis Avenue Bridge which connects Harlem to the Bronx. We heard testimonies from several delivery workers about their working conditions. The Laundry Workers Center assisted participants with applications for the Excluded Worker Fund. After a blessing of the bikes by Father Fabian Arias, the delivery workers rode across the Willis Avenue Bridge in a critical mass to demand safer streets & better working conditions. The event also featured live music by La Sagrada Banda Alteza, food by La Costenita and Mujeres En Movimiento, and free helmets, t-shirts and flags. The projections included visuals created by the workers in collaboration with Sol Aramendi.
