For Immediate Release
June 1, 2010

(TORONTO) – Latin Americans in Toronto will be launching a campaign to challenge the Immigration and Refugee Board’s (IRB) decision to deport a B.C. man and his family on the basis of his affiliation to a political organization in his country of origin which Canadian authorities contend “engaged in acts of terrorism/subversion.” José Figueroa was declared inadmissible to Canada by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Ministry of Public Safety due to his past association with the Farabundo Martí Front for National Liberation (FMLN), a former opposition guerrilla organization that is now the governing party of El Salvador.

Barrio Nuevo will be launching a campaign to challenge the characterization from Canadian authorities of the FMLN as a 'terrorist' organization and to support the Figueroa family's ongoing struggle to stay in Canada, their home of 13 years and the only one his three Canadian-born children have ever known.

Barrio Nuevo will also be announcing an exclusive, limited-time, multi-city screening of Return to El Salvador, a documentary by Philadelphia- based documentary filmmaker Jamie Moffett and narrated by Martin Sheen that documents the history of the 12 year war in El Salvador, the repression which led to the formation of the FMLN, and the challenges of life after peace in the Central American country. 20 % of the proceeds from the screening of the movie will go to assist the Figueroas’ case.

WHO WILL BE THERE:
• René Guerra Salazar – Barrio Nuevo
• José Figueroa – Via Skype (B.C.)
• Jamie Moffett – Director, Return to El Salvador

WHEN: June 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Romero House
1558 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ont.

For more information or to arrange interview, please contact:
Pablo Vivanco
Barrio Nuevo
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
416 890 3986

Barrio Nuevo is an independent, political, grassroots organization working with the Latin American community in Canada. It works with people to achieve societal and economic changes for the longterm benefit of our communities.

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