An estimated 100 protestors walked in bitter cold temperatures Friday night to demand justice in the death of Delfino Velazquez, an immigrant laborer who died in a construction accident at the Dana Ford Lincoln dealership in Staten Island, New York. Velazquez was killed when a roof collapsed and buried him in debris. Three other workers who were in the structure at the time managed to escape.

Velazquez’ employer, Formica Construction, did not have a permit for the demolition work that was being done.

Two coffins

According to news sources, the protestors walked from a community job center to the Formica Construction headquarters carrying two coffins – one for Velazquez and one for Lorenzo Pavia, a Formica employee who was killed in 2003 when an unshored trench caved in on him and another worker.

Workers’ rights groups who participated in the rally are calling for a full investigation into the accident by OSHA and for criminal charges to be filed against Formica Construction in Velazquez’ death by the Staten Island District Attorney.

From the Formica Construction website:

"Formica Construction continuously gives one hundred percent to every project resulting in state of the art structures beginning with site preparation and finishing with unique, well-crafted details."