The SHARE Foundation, together with the Committee of Relatives of the Victims of El Mozote, Christian Base Communities of El Salvador, human rights’ groups and other organizations, invite you to join the people of the rural communities of Yancolo, Cerro Pando, La Joya, and El Mozote, in building up from below, from the people, the historic memory of the massacre and movement forward since, of supporting the empowerment of the people within these same communities, and to walk in faith with them to, together, seek a new, more dignified life for the poor, for all.
It was 45 years ago, from December 10 to 12, 1981, that in six rural communities, centered around the village of El Mozote, that about 1,000 people, more than half of them children, were savagely killed by U.S. trained soldiers. It was part of the scorched earth strategy, to destroy all life and means to livelihood, imported from the Vietnam experience and repeated in many places in El Salvador. It took occured within the context of a people seeking their liberation, seeking a land that provided for all, that was shared by all. It was a message and a warning, from the wealthy and powerful, and even from those in other lands, to not seek this new life.
The people and the land yet cry out for healing, for justice, for the end of impunity, for a new life together, guided by faith, by love, in solidarity with one another, including solidarity in partnership with we who live in the United States, and elsewhere, whose history and hope have become intertwined with theirs.
To know a little about current realities, we will spend a day visiting with people have been deported from the United States and visiting relatives of people now imprisoned under the current State of Exception, which has suspended due process for over four years now.
We may be spending our last night together at a beach house near the airport. For more information, please see the “Frequently asked questions” document, or reach out to Jose Artiga at [email protected] or Paul Fitch at [email protected] or (202) 379-5890.
