Saket Soni Executive Director New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice and National Guestworker Alliance

Opening Remarks by Elissa McBride, Director of Education and Leadership Training, AFSCME

Opening Remarks by Elissa McBride:
"Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Saket Soni has been a driving force in the effort to secure justice for workers fighting for their dignity in post-Katrina New Orleans. During the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast, black workers whose families had lived in New Orleans for generations were denied jobs. At the same time, thousands of immigrant workers were given false promises of steady jobs, fair pay, great conditions and even permanent legal status...Saket Soni brought those workers together, linking their struggles across the lines of race and class and citizenship. He helped build a broad platform from which they could wage an inspiring fight for justice and dignity."

 Brochure of full transcript: [Download]