Motives to Organize
Obdulio explains the reasons that led people to organize.
Civil War
Negotiating the Peace Accords
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
Organization and Repression
Élida describes the beginnings of social organization and protest, and relates an episode of violence that took place in her hamlet.
Organizing, Repression & Exhumations
Lucía remembers early experiences as a girl attending political meetings with her parents, and the killing of her mother and others; and reflects on exhumation process.
Origins of the Conflict
Damián reflects on the social inequality and social demands that led to the civil war, as well as rural organizing and the founding of the Union of Field Workers (UTC) in 1975.
Our Only Crime
Edwin explains how state respression of movements for change led to the decision to take up armed struggle.
Post-War Progress
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Repression
Isidora describes the repression that led her and her family to leave their home.
Repression and Organizing
Rosa explains her role in political organizing, she recounts the 1980 El Rincón massacre and the killings of her parents, and describes the role of clandestine militias.
Repression in Arcatao
Alberto remembers when town inhabitants began to leave their homes as truckloads of soldiers arrived to Arcatao.
Resettlement and the 1986 Invasion
Trinidad describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion in Arcatao, the involvement of a particular commander, and the resettlement process.
Returning to Arcatao
Virginia describes life at the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, and her challenging trip back to Arcatao.