and here in new york we're , joined by pamela yates.rtner at skylight pictures, a documentary film and digital media company that focuses on human rights and social justice stories. in 1983, she collaborated with menchu on the documentary, "when the mountains tremble." we welcome you both to democracy now! that's first go to guatemala city. rigoberta menchu, you were in the courtroom when the verdict and sentence handed down. can you describe your reaction? >> well, undoubtedly, this is a historic event. this trial and verdict are huge. we waited 16 years for this verdict to be handed down. the trial went on for 16 years. and this verdict has been issued 36 years after the event itself. so we are deeply moved and this is a very special moment in our history. >> can you talk about your long quest for justice almost four decades in the making? >> well, first of all, i left guatemala and fled. i was forced into exile and i promised myself and i promised my father and i promised the memory of guatemala and the victims of water mullah -- gua