Tomas, Day laborer, Day Labor Worker Center Protest Site. Albany Park, Chicago, United States, 2003.
Tomas, who has been working day labor jobs in the Albany Park neighborhood for more than 10 years, wanted his picture taken in the Juan Diego Workers’ Center his way. Braving the pouring rain, he stripped down to his underwear and went to the middle of the parking lot, where I took his photo. Tomas wanted a nude picture to show his connection to the center, for which the workers had struggled for more than three years. Ald. Margaret Laurino fought the workers the whole time. But, with the help of advocacy groups and a concerted community education campaign, the building opened in October 2004.
