Franklin, Lucely, Gilberto, & Ines: Unsung American Heroes

Franklin Lucely, Gilberto, and Ines cleaned up Ground Zero and New York City in the aftermath of 9/11 alongside hundreds of fellow undocumented Latin American workers. These American heroes discuss their experience on the ground during the days and months following 9/11 and the illnesses they developed as a result of their service. While the country has largely forgotten them – offering only token settlements, lack of robust healthcare, and no path to citizenship – they haven’t forgotten each other. They carry each other’s life stories and are open about their lives to those who will listen.

“Yo trabajaba 12 horas diarias los siete días de la semana.” –Franklin

“This group of people who sacrificed so much are so forgotten and they’re remembered on 9/11 for those days and then we go back to our lives.” –Rosa Maria Bramble, LCSW

Read more about the 9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Bill or https://www.rosabramble.com/ work. 

 

Creator & Host: Maria Fernanda Diez 

Executive Producers: Gisselle Bances, Anna Stumpf, Nikki Ettore 

Producer: Pablo Cabrera, Arlene Santana, Dylan Heuer  

Associate Producer: Claudia Marticorena

Original Theme Music: Tony Bruno

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