Voces Innocentes (Innocent Voices): A true story set in El Salvador during the civil war

Amnesty International USA Group 283 presents:
Voces Innocentes (Innocent Voices)
A true story set in El Salvador during the brutal civil war of the 1980s. Chava is only 11 years old when his father leaves town and he must assume the role of “man of the house”, with new responsibilities to his mother, younger sister and baby brother. The joys of childhood play, grade school, first love, music and dance are soon overshadowed by the battles between government soldiers and guerillas that increasingly interrupt the peace and safety of daily life in his small home city. Looming over all, is forced enlistment in the army awaiting him on his 12th birthday.

Voces Innocentes has won many international film awards but rarely been shown in the US. The movie is realistic and heart-wrenching with gorgeous cinematography, filmed on location. It engages the viewer on a personal level and forces us to consider the consequences of a world-wide human rights problem, the conscription of child soldiers.

Sponsored by the Sacramento chapter of Amnesty International
No charge for admission, food & drink available for purchase
· Arrive early, eat, drink, visit with friends.
· Voces Innocentes video will be shown on a large screen from approx. 6pm – 8pm.
Discuss issues raised in the film - human rights in Central America, child soldiers.
· Learn about Amnesty's Central America Regional Action Network and write letters in support of specific victims of human rights abuse.