Free Leonard Peltier!

With the rise of the American Indian Movement, intertribal strife broke out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. AIM activists squared off against a corrupt tribal government and police force.
  

AIM was being closely monitored by the FBI. In June 1975, two FBI agents in an unmarked car sped onto Indian land near Oglala, SD. The Indians living there had no way of knowing whether they were federal agents or anti-AIM tribal police. In a desperate shootout, the agents and one Indian were killed. Though law enforcement swarmed the reservation, Leonard Peltier, a Chippewa Sioux, and more than two dozen others managed to escape.
  

Eventually, two Indian participants were apprehended. Both pleaded self-defense and, following a tumultuous trial, they were acquitted. But Peltier wasn't captured until February 1976.
  

In 1977, he stood trial on double murder charges. Peltier's conviction is one of the worst examples of government manipulation of the justice process in American history. The FBI submitted false affidavits as evidence and intimidated and coerced witnesses. The judge disallowed testimony describing the state of open warfare that existed on Pine Ridge, nor was Peltier allowed to claim self-defense. Later, an appeals judge called the conduct of the FBI "a clear violation of the investigative process."
  

For over 30 years, Leonard Peltier has been denied parole or pardon. But while imprisoned, he has become a leading spokesperson for the causes of indigenous people. He has been nominated for the Nobel Prize six times. Countless organizations including Amnesty International, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the National Congress of American Indians, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, as well as leaders and private citizens, have called for his immediate release.
  

Behind bars, Peltier has also become an outstanding painter. Prints of his work are for sale. All proceeds go to his defense fund.

Visit http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

MESSAGE FROM LEONARD PELTIER

Our goal is to get a million letters in support to the Parole Board, but we also need the funds to mount a professional campaign for the next two months, to send delegations to Washington D.C. to lobby.
  

This parole hearing is going to be a major campaign and it is going to cost big-time. So it’s a huge begging time for us. This is the part of the sacrifice that I have always hated, but here is a question that is always on my mind.
  

I am constantly told I have millions of supporters from around the world. Yet we are broke, praying and begging for even just one dollar from these millions.
  

I was wondering if you could help.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier

Visit http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info


WRITE A LETTER!
Leonard Peltier's first full parole hearing was held in 1993, at which time his case was continued for a 15-year reconsideration. He has recently applied for and been granted a parole hearing. The hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2009. All supporters are encouraged to step up their efforts in support of parole for Leonard Peltier. Your voice has never been more important for Leonard than now. Leonard needs you—your heart, your writing...

Here is a suggested letter for you to send. It is critical that everyone write—no matter where you are in the world. Please invite others you know to write letters as well.
 

SUGGESTED LETTER

United States Parole Commission
5550 Friendship Blvd., Ste. 420
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286

(Insert Date)

Re: LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing in behalf of support for Parole for Leonard Peltier. While I am aware of the seriousness of the conviction, I am also aware that people have the ability to go forward out of the past and give to the larger society. I believe that is the case with Leonard Peltier.

I ask you to consider the humanitarian work he has done during his 33 years of incarceration. More than most people can ever do who are not locked up.

I ask you to consider his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for the 6th straight year. There are those who make light of this, but who else among us have had that honor.

He consistently donates his artwork for charities such as battered women's shelters, halfway houses, alcohol and drug treatment programs, and Native American scholarship funds.

Mr. Peltier has won several awards including the North Star Frederick Douglas Award; Federation of Labor (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime Achievement.

He has expressed sadness for the tragedy that occurred that day at Oglala and pain for the families of the two agents and the Indian man that died that day.

Thirty-three years is a long time. I ask you to look with empathy upon a 64 year-old man who, over the 33 years, has done so much good while in prison, and I think has the ability to do even more good for the community if he were to be allowed parole.

While I know of the misconduct by government officials in his case, I will not bring details up because I am certain that you are aware of the misconduct, and will consider that as you have the discretion to rule above or below the guidelines. I would hope that you will exercise that discretion in favor of Leonard Peltier. It seems to me it would be a gross miscarriage of justice if he were left to die in prison.

Please grant parole.

Respectfully,

Your Name
 

DONATE TO THE PELTIER LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

Leonard's legal fund is managed by Peltier family members via the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LP-DOC) in Fargo, ND. Your donation will help pay the significant legal expenses associated with Leonard's case—filing fees, cost recovery fees (details below), attorney travel, etc. Please help.  Send a check or money order made payable to "LP-DOC" to the below address.

LP-DOC
PO Box 7488
Fargo, ND  58106

Donate online at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info. At this website,
you can support Leonard Peltier by purchasing his lithographs, merchandise, and paintings. All proceeds benefit his defense fund.
 

The LP-DOC is a North Dakota nonprofit corporation. As with any nonprofit, your donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  Please consult your tax advisor.

We guarantee we will not sell or trade our donors’ personal or contact information with any other organization, company, or individual.