June 15th was a day when those who have been championing the rights of the citizens of El Salvador would unite, and get their voices heard. Director Jamie Moffett's latest documentary Return to El Salvador was screened before Canadian Parliamentarians as well as foreign dignitaries in an AM screening hosted by MP John McKay. The film's message of Canadian corporations' disregard for human rights well environmental irresponsibility spoke to McKay who is sponsoring a corporate responsibility bill Bill C-300, which would put pressure on such companies.

At the press conference held afterwords, McKay states, "Jamie’s portrayal of the issues this country faces, particularly those related to matters of foreign interference demonstrate the importance of our own countries actions, on those living in this small country".

One of those actions given attention in the film are the unavoidable links between the disappearance of anti-mining activist Marcelo Rivera, and the practices of the Vancouver-based Pacific Rim Mining Company.

"I'm eager to share the story of the torture and death of Marcelo Rivera as it relates to Canadian mining corporations," says Moffett. "Canadians need to be aware that some of the 3,000 corporations flying the Canadian flag are operating in ways that are sickening, injuring and killing people." Moffett's film Jamie Moffett chronicles the lives of those affected by the country's 12 year civil war; from those who got away to those who were forced to stay and fight, and the children who grew up in the aftermath. The film reveals that the war as well as the turmoil succeeding it are the results of some of the United State's foreign policies. The film has since gained momentum, and notoriety for its narration by actor Martin Sheen, and its recent endorsement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Return to El Salvador is by no means an easy film to watch concerning its rather dire subject matter, and urgent message of this did not end in morbidity, but rather in solidarity as the Rally for Mining Justice gathered on Parliamentary Hill. This rally was organized by Ottawa-Gatineau Coalition against Gold Mining in El Salvador in support of both Return to El Salvador, and Bill C-300.

Various artists and leaders came to speak at the rally including McKay and Moffett. Also in attendance were Tito Medina and Shaman Rhythms, NDP MP Paul Dewar , , producer of Under Rich Earth Malcolm Rogge , Sofia Ramirez of Barrio Nuevo, Meera Karunananthan of Council of Canadians, Kaithlyn of the youth section for Development & Peace, Roberto Miranda of Cafe Justicia and Laura Avalos of the Salvadorian Canadian Association of Ottawa and NCR- ASCORCAN. "I was very touched by this documentary because it was like seeing my own family's story." says Mendes.

"This is an important piece for the current generation of neo-Salvadorians and future ones." Future generations may not have to deal with the current diaspora given the support and solidarity of so many groups involved in this movement.

The rally itself was endorsed by 40 organizations including FMLN Ottawa-Gatineau, Amnesty International, Business and Human Rights Program, and Committee for Human Rights in Latin America (CDHAL) .

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