Imagine leaving your country and your family to find work so that you can support them to have a better life. Imagine the abuse you have to endure because you don’t know the law, language and rights. Imagine being a working undocumented immigrant in the United States who finally stands up for your right as a worker in California.

The documentary “Made in L.A.” shared the lives of struggling, strong and persistent documented and undocumented immigrants who were beaten down by the sweatshop conditions in Los Angeles garment factories. In 2001, they decided to fight for their basic rights of eight hours a day instead of 10 or 12-hour shifts and minimum wage pay instead of $3 wages.

“Made in L.A.” was shown Wednesday in the Hinde Auditorium in the University Union. It was followed by a discussion between the producers Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar and the audience.

Child development senior Jessica Ochoa, one of about 80 viewers, was grateful that her professor asked her to attend the documentary.

“At first, it was just for class, but I really enjoyed the movie,” Ochoa said. “I felt like crying at times.”

The film features Lupe Hernandez, early 30s, and Maura Colorado and Maria Pineda, both in there 40s. Colorado and Pineda are both undocumented immigrants. All three women came to the United States in their late teens.

These women were a few of the prominent people who stood up against Forever 21 – a clothing store that sells trendy clothes at cheap prices – for abusing standard working conditions in their Los Angeles garment factories. They united and organized against Forever 21 by having rallies throughout the United States.

Ethnic studies lecturer Eric Vega felt that the exploitation needed to stop.

“Undocumented workers, who are viciously attacked in the United States, right now are unjustly being exploited by the structure of our economic society,” Vega said.

However, after three years of struggling, fighting and growing, Hernandez, Colorado and Pineda, under the leaders from L.A. Garment Worker Center, finally received the justice they deserved through negotiation with the president of Forever 21, Do Won Chang.

Persistence seemed to be the theme of the film screening, both on and off the screen.

Business major Devin Yoshikawa was blown away by the women’s persistence so much so that he ensured that the film screening would happen at Sac State.

Yoshikawa said that after hearing Kimi Lee, an organizer at L.A. Garment Worker Center, speak about the movie, he purchased the film after it was released.

“I wanted to get involved, and the producers were having a tour in Northern California so it worked out in that sense,” Yoshikawa said. “It just fell into place, tying in with Women History Month.”

However, struggling to get “Made in L.A.” sponsored to be shown on campus, he contacted Vega, who also became passionate about the film.

“The film showed working class women who are the heroes of their own story,” Vega said. “This is a hopeful film that is an alternative to pessimism regarding social justice demonstration.”

After “Made in L.A.” was over, many viewers were curious as to what they could do as consumers. However, senior business major Mai Xiongwas puzzled with the system.

“As a business student, I understand where the CEO is coming from … he’s trying to cut costs,” Xiong said. “But, it was unethical for the workers.”

Deur Julie Tcha can be reached at [email protected]