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The Vegan Marxist
18th January 2010, 17:51
Since there's a lot happening right now for Mumia Abu-Jamal, & it's in my hopes of him being released, but I find this to be a good time to talk about another person who may very well be innocent, but held captive within the U.S. prison systems, & that is Leonard Peltier. Out of all the facts that's been brought forth for the evidence of Peltier's innocence, he still remains in prison, & more than likely will forever remain there. But I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on Leonard are, from whether he was innocent or not, or if there's something wrong about the case towards his innocence or guilt.

Pirate Utopian
18th January 2010, 18:03
If anyone doubts his innocence watch Incident at Oglala, it's on Google Video.

The Vegan Marxist
18th January 2010, 18:10
If anyone doubts his innocence watch Incident at Oglala, it's on Google Video.

I understand that, & I'm with you with that documentary. A very moving documentary at that, but there's problems with that documentary, & it's called Mr. X. This individual was shown to be a fraud made to help liberate Peltier's case more, but it eventually came to light that it was a lie.

The Vegan Marxist
19th January 2010, 00:52
The Jumping Bull Fraud

Run & grab your arms, the Feds are declaring war
Against those of Jumping Bull, the two car led massacre.
The fire fight began, though no one knows what it was for,
They got their man, an innocent man, & his name was Peltier.
You think you got your man, well then put him on the stand,
And show the lack of evidence that you have put him through.
Though, as you can see, all the truth was canned,
You're fighting against the warriors, the anti-Wilson goon crew.
So let's talk the truth, about the law of extradition,
You think threatening a working mother can justify lies?
Well I can see that all of this was just another mission,
The COINTELPRO will carry on until Peltier dies.
How about this, go & grant him executive clemency,
Because if you don't, then it won't be the last you've heard of me,
Nor all the people, & the A.I.M., they'll be coming, just you see,
Come on, speak the truth, just make your fucking plea.
Words of freedom, the dying freedom of words,
And all the while, the red truck keeps gaining a mile.
You say the bullet matched his rifle, truth is, that's absurd,
And the Looking Cloud trial showed all that was vile.
You used the death of Aquash to help you make a trial,
Well I say a paid off 'witness' is nowhere near the truth.
Can you hear them, the voices are chanting in miles,
'Let him go! Let him go!', come & face the pro-Peltier youth!

Communist
28th January 2010, 20:31
Forwarded on behalf of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
[email protected]

January 27, 2010

Dear Friends and Supporters,

First, we've received calls in recent days about an obituary some
of you have seen on the Internet. This obituary was for another man
named Leonard Peltier, not my brother. I can well imagine the grief
that man's family and friends must feel, as well as the shock some
of you experienced when you read the notice. Thank you to those of
you who called and expressed your concern.

If you have questions about things you see announced on the Internet,
we recommend that you first check our blog for confirmation. There's
a link to the blog from our home page at www.whoisleonardpeltier.info (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/)
or you can go directly to http://lpdoc.blogspot.com (http://lpdoc.blogspot.com/). We will always
make any major announcements -- good or bad -- on our blog and/or
via our mailing list. If you know people who haven't joined our
mailing list, tell them that they can do so from our home page.

I recently returned from Washington, DC, and a conference with some
legal team members. Ten of us met all one day to discuss issues
and develop various strategies. You'll be informed of various
actions/plans when it's appropriate for us to do so, but I want
to tell you that I have more hope in my heart than ever before. I
also know there's a great deal of work to be done in 2010 to
secure Leonard's freedom. Success will not be quick or easy, and
there may be disappointments along the way, but we must and will
continue the fight to free Leonard. I ask everyone to expend the
same energy as you did in 2009 towards that end. We simply can't
succeed without you.

The first submissions for the ZOOM IN Campaign will be mailed
to Attorney General Holder around February 6, the date that
marks 34 years of imprisonment for Leonard. 34 years! Due to
requests received from organizers who wish to use their February
6th events to collect more photos/flyers, we'll send a second
package to AG Holder on March 1. For background and instructions,
see www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/zoom1.htm (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/zoom1.htm). Demand an Executive
Review of the Peltier case.

Through letters to the editor of your local newspaper, calling in
to local radio talk shows, tabling at local events, leafleting on
your city streets, etc., you can have an impact on the attitudes
of people in your community. More than that, you can motivate those
people to get active in the campaign to free Leonard. Get a couple of
your friends together and establish a LP-DOC support branch in your
community today. Send an e-mail to [email protected]
to get started.

We're pleased to announce the availability of Giclée Reproductions
of never-before-seen paintings by Leonard Peltier. These are high
quality ink-jet prints using fade-resistant "archival" inks. Commonly
found in museums and art and photographic galleries, they are simply
the best quality reproductions available. They look just like the
originals, but are available at a fraction of the cost. We invite you
to visit www.leonardpeltierart.com (http://www.leonardpeltierart.com/) for details. For more information,
contact Monica Martinez Donovan by e-mail at [email protected] or call
719-687-8750. Proceeds will benefit my brother's legal fund.

Like many similar organizations, we're still facing a funding
shortfall. To carry out our plans for 2010, we need your help. We
currently have two raffles for which you can purchase tickets. Enter
to win a painting
<http://lpdoc.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-raffle-peltier-original-painting.html>
by Leonard Peltier OR a hand-crafted flute
(http://lpdoc.blogspot.com/2009/11/raffle.html) by gifted artist
Leslie C. Thunder Hawk.

Again, thank you for all you do on Leonard's behalf. Together,
we'll make 2010 count.

Betty Ann Peltier Solano
Executive Director
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

www.whoisleonardpeltier.info (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/)
Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

Please make a pledge of support at
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/donate.htm (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/donate.htm)

Communist
2nd February 2010, 21:34
note from Leonard

Greetings from the Iron House. It has come to my attention that
a rumor has been circulating about my death. Sorry to disappoint
the Trimbachs, Ed Wood, and all the other vermin, but I am still
alive and kicking. I continue to struggle for the truth about my
case-much of it hidden in the over 6,000 documents they are afraid
to release-to see the light of day.

I have been monitoring the case with the Crow Creek tribe's
land issues, and have been asked my opinion. As in nearly all
things, I come down on the side of the tribe. Sovereignty and
self determination are the lynchpins to Indian freedom. I want
the people of Crow Creek to know they have my fullest support in
their endeavors. This case affects all Indians, and should matter
to all people of conscience. Everyone should monitor this case
to its fullest conclusion, and know it is yet another example of
Indian people's daily reality. The Indian wars are not over; they
just are fought more in the courtrooms and the boardrooms these
days. But the issues are mostly the same-the land, resources, and
freedom. Freedom to think. Freedom to live as we wish. Freedom to
be who we are. Don't for a second allow yourself to think that
the conspirators aren't working. They're out there, and as always
they're plotting ways to dispossess and marginalize Indian people
at every opportunity.

We were all sad to learn of the passing this past week, of Howard
Zinn. A brilliant author, researcher, activist, not to mention a
fine human being and a friend to my cause, his loss is a blow to all
of us who struggle against oppression. Please send up prayers for
his family and loved ones, and that his spirit has a good journey.

As always, a big thank you to my family and everyone else helping
out at the office, and all my supporters' world wide. Through your
efforts, one day we'll win my freedom.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier


Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier (http://www.FreePeltierNow.org)


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Communist
5th February 2010, 05:33
-----

Reminder: Tomorrow (Friday, February 5), in recognition of Leonard's
arrest on February 6, 1976 (and 34 years of imprisonment), please
contact the Attorney General to demand an Executive Review of the
Peltier case.

Write to:

Attorney General Eric Holder
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

You also can fax your letter to (202) 307-6777.

Call: (202) 514-2000.

E-Mail: askdoj(AT)usdoj.gov ([email protected]). (Be sure to mark your e-mail to the
attention of AG Holder.)

The February 4 issue of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
newsletter is online.

Highlights:

-- Parole Appeal
-- Benefit for Haitian Children
-- February 6: 34 Years!

Read it here:
<http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/newsletter20100204.htm>.
Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

------------

Communist
6th February 2010, 18:51
note from Leonard

Greetings to everyone,

34 years. It doesn't even sound like a real number to me. Not
when one really thinks about being in a jail cell for that long.
All these years and I swear, I still think sometimes I'll wake up
from this nightmare in my own bed, in my own home, with my family
in the next room. I would never have imagined such a thing. Surely
the only place people are unjustly imprisoned for 34 years is in
far away lands, books or fairy tales.

It's been that long since I woke up when I needed to, worked where
I wanted to, loved who I was supposed to love, or did what I was
compelled to do. It's been that long-long enough to see my children
have grandchildren. Long enough to have many of my friends and
loved ones die in the course of a normal life, while I was here
unable to know them in their final days.

So often in my daily life, the thought creeps in-"I don't deserve
this". It lingers like acid in my mouth. But I have to push those
types of thoughts away. I made a commitment long ago, many of
us did. Some didn't live up to their commitments, and some of us
didn't have a choice. Joe Stuntz didn't have a choice. Neither did
Buddy Lamont. I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing
like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really,
if necessary, I'd do it all over again, because it was the right
thing to do. We didn't go to ceremony and say "I'll fight for the
people as long as it doesn't cost too much". We prayed, and we
gave. Like I say, some of us didn't have a choice. Our only other
option was to run away, and we couldn't even do that. Back then,
we had no where left to run to.

I have cried so many tears over these three plus decades. Like the
many families directly affected by this whole series of events,
my family's tears have not been in short supply. Our tears have
joined all the tears from over 500 years of oppression. Together our
tears come together and form a giant river of suffering and I hope,
cleansing. Injustice is never final, I keep telling myself. I pray
this is true for all of us.

To those who know I am innocent, thank you for your faith. And I hope
you continue working for my release. That is, to work towards truth
and justice. To those who think me guilty, I ask you to believe in
and work for the rule of law. Even the law says I should be free by
now, regardless of guilt. What has happened to me isn't justice,
it isn't the law, it isn't fair, it isn't right. This has been a
long battle in an even longer war. But we have to remain vigilant,
as we have a righteous cause. After all this time, I can only ask
this: Don't give up. Not ever. Stay in this fight with me. Suffer
with me. Grieve with me. Endure with me. Believe with me. Outlast
with me. And one day, celebrate freedom with me. Hoka hey!

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier


Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488
Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: 701/235-2206
Fax: 701/235-5045
E-mail: contact(AT)whoisleonardpeltier.info ([email protected])

Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)


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Communist
8th February 2010, 19:28
Friends of Peltier on behalf of...
the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

A Call to Action
February 8, 2010

Attention, Supporters! February 6 has come and gone. We've had
a day of rest, too. It's time to get busy once again.

As you know, Leonard's application for parole was denied in August
2009. Leonard has appealed that decision and needs our
support. Leonard has not given up. We can't give up, either.
In fact, let's intensify our efforts on Leonard's behalf.

Actively support the parole of Leonard Peltier as you did last
summer. Insist on a fair reconsideration of Leonard's application
for parole.

Write a brief and to-the-point letter to the U.S. Parole Commission
at 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 420, Chevy Chase, Maryland
20815-7286, Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132.

You can fax your letter to (301) 492-6694, if you wish.

The Commission has no public e-mail.

Once you've sent off your letter to the Commission, please also
call President Obama's comment line at (202) 456-1111 or (202)
456-1112. Tell the President to support the parole of Leonard
Peltier.

There was a crippling snow storm in the Washington metropolitan
area this past weekend. Service at the White House may be disrupted
as a result. Be patient and keep calling until you get through to
the comment line. Generally, the White House comment line is open
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST.

Remember also that if the lines are busy, you can call the
switchboard at (202) 456-1414. Ask for the comment line. You may be
placed on hold until the next available staffer can take your call.

We thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter
--as well as your time, effort, and commitment.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

Contact:

LP-DOC - PO Box 7488 - Fargo, ND 58106
(701) 235-2206 (Phone); (701) 235-5045 (Fax)
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/)
contact(AT)whoisleonardpeltier.info ([email protected])

Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

Communist
22nd February 2010, 07:15
.
*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*
"I would like to ask you why when we speak you do not listen, and
when you listen, you do not hear, and when you hear us, you do not
choose to understand what we say. This is one time that I ask you
to listen carefully and understand what we have to say."--Frank Fools Crow
*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'

* Call to Action: Parole Letters *

Mr. Peltier's appeal of the August parole decision is underway and
a response is expected any day. Please help to keep the pressure
on the Parole Commission. Write a brief, to-the-point letter to
the U.S. Parole Commission at 5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 420,
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815-7286, Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132.
You can fax your letter to (301) 492-6694, if you wish.

* It's a Wrap: Focus on Executive Review *

Remember that, to accommodate certain organizers, a second delivery
will be made on or around March 1 to the Attorney General's
office. That means time is short. For information on the Zoom In
campaign, visit <http://www.freepeltiernow.org/zoom1.htm> and get
your flyers in without delay.

* Events *

-- 23 February, New York, NY: Save the Date for Leonard Peltier! 7:00 p.m.
at Sixth Street Community Center, 638 East 6th Street,
Manhattan. Short films and letter writing on behalf of
Leonard. Sponsored by the NYC Leonard Peltier Support Group.
For information, nyclpsg(AT)gmail.com ([email protected]) or nyclpsg(AT)yahoo.com ([email protected]).

-- 28 February, Jamaica Plain, MA: Spotlight on Repression. A fundraiser
for the Jericho Movement to Free All Political Prisoners and the Leonard
Peltier Defense Offense Committee at Spontaneous Celebrations,
45 Danforth Street (Stonybrook stop on the Orange Line),
6:00-9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Presented by Jericho
Boston. Information: jerichoboston(AT)yahoo.com ([email protected]).

-- 06 March, Schaumburg, IL: Art auction organized by Leonard
Peltier with proceeds benefiting children affected by the tragedy
in Haiti. Art by Peltier and other selected artists will be
included in a live and silent auction. Paintings will be on
display beforehand. Trickster Gallery at 190 South Roselle Road
beginning at 1:00 p.m. Call 847-301-2090 or send an e-mail to
trickstergallery(AT)aic-chicago.org ([email protected]) for ticket information or visit
<http://www.myspace.com/trickstergallery>.

* Service Announcement *

Juno and Netzero are blocking delivery of our digests to our
registrants. This sort of thing happens from time to time even though
we operate an double opt-in list. Help us let folks know that they
need to add <info(AT)FreePeltierNow.org ([email protected])> to their address books and/or
white list us. If the problem persists, subscribers should contact
their Internet Service Providers to resolve the problem.

* Xtra *

The following events may be of interest to you. More than that,
you can make them opportunities to get out on the streets and put
Indigenous issues and the case of Leonard Peltier in the public eye.

-- Massive anti-war mobilization and march on DC - March 20 (Major
march, followed by "occupation" on the Ellipse between the White
House and the Washington Monument which is slated to last until
troops start coming home); see <http://www.march20.org (http://www.march20.org/)>.

-- Poor People's March - April 4-June 27 (originates in New Orleans
and ends in Detroit at the site of the U.S. Social Forum); see
<http://old.economichumanrights.org/USSF2010/index.shtml>.

-- U.S. Social Forum in Detroit - June 22-26; see
<http://www.ussf2010.org/>.

*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*
"Never cease in the fight for peace, justice, and equality for all
people. Be persistent in all that you do and don't allow anyone to
sway you from your conscience."--Leonard Peltier
*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*

Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

Wolf Larson
22nd February 2010, 20:53
I had a teacher in 7'th grade [Mrs Hernandez] who introduced the young class to his and the broader struggle. It was one my first real experiences as far as learning actual history/current events/activism. We wrote him and the [useless] courts letters in 7'th grade. This was about 1990'ish. She was the vice principle of the school as well as a teacher and her husband was a member of AIM. She did a lot of good as far as teaching hundreds if not thousands of kids the details surrounding Pine Ridge. She went on to be the principal at a small high school I attended. Every year we would go to free Leonard Peltier rallies to show support. That was almost 15 years ago. It was 15 years ago. His next parole hearing is in 2024 I think....too far away. We not only need to free Leonard but hundreds of thousands of prisoners in the USA. Our nation sickens me.

Communist
22nd February 2010, 21:26
That's an interesting story. It's always good to hear of comrades wanting to fight against this injustice. You should attempt to contact your old teacher (assuming she's still alive) and see if she's still involved.

Agnapostate
22nd February 2010, 22:36
It is. Was she AIM too, and did you know the ethnic heritage of she and her husband?

Wolf Larson
23rd February 2010, 01:26
It is. Was she AIM too, and did you know the ethnic heritage of she and her husband?
She's still alive and was a part of AIM. Even took some select students to pau wau's frequently and our field trips were usually to Santa Cruz mountains and other areas around Mt Diablo where we'd look at various sites where communities once were. I saw her a few months ago and thanked her for being one of my only role models [per say] when I was younger. She wasn't so much a role model as she was just a great person & a great teacher. I'd call that a role model I guess. I can't remember which tribe. It's been a long time. I know her son moved to North Dakota.

Next time I see her I'll ask her what she's doing within the movement. Julie Hernandez is her name. Great woman. I wouldn't gave graduated high school and gone on to college if it weren't for her. She was the principle at a secondary highschool for kids who weren't into the normal education system :) Before she passes I'm going to try to round up some of her past students for a thank you party/ceremony. She has much time left though....she's in her 60's. Mr Peltier on the other hand is running out of time. What do you guys think about land reform in both the US and other western nations? Other than fighting to free Leonard I think it's a great idea to push for both sovereignty and land reform. Freeing him also may depend on new sovereignty laws as his next parole date is in 2024. I think he'll be around 80 by then.

Agnapostate
23rd February 2010, 02:44
If her name is Hernandez, she's probably of a tribe of the U.S. Southwest, where the Spanish had colonial influence. If her name is of U.S. origin, that is; she could be descended from Latin Americans (or one herself, though you haven't said that). Or she could have taken her husband's name, though you didn't say that either. :p

Communist
23rd February 2010, 07:05
.

Leonard Peltier and the notorious perversity of USA-style justice (http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2010/febrero/vier5/peltier-perversity-us-justice.html)



Elsa Claro


TWO hundred years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s chief justice, John Marshall, ruled that the legal relationship of the land’s original inhabitants with the United States was not one of equals, but of "wardship," given that it dealt with people "completely lacking in civil abilities."

When one native American said "Our work consists of procuring that those who come afterwards, the generations that have not yet been born, do not find a world worse than ours, but instead a better one…" he was focusing on what today is a serious problem stemming from foolish ambitions and the absence of an attitude of consternation regarding the planet. The idea is adjusted to other precepts, including the resentments unleashed among nations and destructive wars to dominate or steal the territory and resources of others.

"Why do they take away by force what they can obtain with love? We are disarmed and ready to give them what they ask if they come as friends…" The ideaseems so logical, basic and noble that not to proceed in that manner reveals a lack of moral authority, but the leaders of the United States during its first expansion did not ponder on such advanced possibilities, and acted the way in which they still do today: dispossessing those who were already there when they arrived, and subjecting them to the use of force or imbuing them with pessimism and impotence.

The usurpation of the northern part of this continent could have been less degrading, even though it would always remain an unjust act, in violation of every law. It is difficult to believe, but in the 19th century, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Indians were, by birth, "alien and dependent." That is one of the reasons that it was included in the Constitution that indigenous peoples could not be represented in Congress.

The nascent empire wanted to expand its geographical horizons and possess those places where there were resources to explore. That is also the source of the barbaric statement by Philip Sheridan: "The only good Indian is a dead Indian."

Whoever assumes that these are questions of the past is ignoring or giving short shrift to the racial discrimination that African Americans continue to suffer after so many projects with little progress, after years of struggle and the deaths of so many civil rights fighters. It is the same case, with its own particularities, of the Native Americans who live on reservations — like the Bantustans of South Africa — often on highly toxic land, and are insulted, ignored or questioned when they want to maintain their customs.

"We do not have control over the resources on our reservation; we do not have economic power…. That is why a major controversy persists in the state of South Dakota about the problems and double standards of justice (one for "whites" and another for Indians) that we protested in the 1960s and ‘70s."
— Excerpt from an interview with Leonard Peltier by German political scientist Heinz Dietrich.

Peltier is one of the longest-held prisoners in the United States, treated like one of the many "bad Indians" typically stereotyped in those "Western" flicks with which they made us believe and "demonstrated" the superiority of the criminals and the absence of virtue among the abused, who today continue to be the system’s evident victims.

THE PELTIER CASE

The FBI still has some 100,000 pages of secret information on Peltier. Independent investigations and those by international agencies, however, place the story of this Anishinabe/Lakota man in the 1970s — dubbed the "prodigious decade" by some because it gave the world significant changes in music and considerably broad social movements, including the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Peltier was part of the American Indian Movement (AIM), a group committed to the progress of indigenous communities, based on the preservation of cultural pride. They were joined by the so-called traditionalists, tribes determined to maintain their customs, moral sovereignty and closeness to nature.

Those expressions of emancipation were never smiled upon . Several members of these communities were killed, and after suffering various abuses, they held a protest in 1973 in the town of Wounded Knee, on the Pine Ridge reservation. They were savagely repressed, and although the government promised to investigate complaints filed by the victims, the reservation’s conditions became worse, to the extent that the two protesting groups were unable to enact their ancestral ceremonies together.

In the three years that followed, AIM members experienced many attacks, including their houses being burned down, and were the targets of shots fired from moving vehicles. They were injured or murdered. A campaign against them was organized depicting them as violent, lawless individuals in order to justify the attacks perpetrated by paramilitary forces with the consent of the FBI. According to diverse sources, at the time, it was the FBI that headed the fabrication of a fraudulent scheme to justify any action against these indigenous individuals.

The growth of such a heavy, artificial environment led the traditionalists to call on the AIM activists to return to their reservations and protect them from constant, often deadly attacks. Those who responded to that plea for help included Leonard Peltier, who together with 12 others, camped out on the Jumping Bull Ranch, where a number of families were living. That’s where he was on June 26, 1975, when two FBI agents burst onto the scene in unmarked vehicles. They claimed they were following an Indian who had participated in an assault and robbery.

Residents and police were soon involved in a shoot-out. The police asked for backup from special troops of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They surrounded the farm, but Peltier was able to get a group of adolescents out to a safe place under the crossfire, which ended up wounding the two FBI agents. Peltier was accused of having finished them off as they lay injured.

Immediately, three AIM leaders were blamed for this outcome: Dino Butler, Bob Robideau, and Leonard Peltier, along with Jimmy Eagle). Butler and Robideau were found innocent by the jury for having acted in self-defense, admitting that the atmosphere of alarm and unease prevailing on Pine Ridge explained why they would have shot back at police fire.

The FBI’s reaction to this verdict was rage, and it withdrew charges against Jimmy Eagle (the man originally pursued by the FBI agents) so that the "full prosecutive weight of the Federal Government could be directed against Leonard Peltier,"
according to memoranda that were accidentally leaked.

This means they were capable of releasing from all guilt the individual who may have been, consciously or not, the trigger of these events, in order to transfer their complete revenge to the man who was a very prestigious and popular activist for his people. In order to guarantee the outcome they finally obtained, they ensured that Peltier was tried by a different judge than his comrades, one who stood out for the rigidity of his considerations.

Peltier was extremely dubious about the quality of the trial to which he was to be subjected, based on the highly prejudiced approach and zeal for vendetta that was in the air in the region. He traveled to Canada, where he was arrested some months later. In order to extradite him to the United States, testimony against him was presented from a woman who despite not knowing him, claimed that she was his girlfriend and that she saw him shoot at the agents. She was not even present at the site during those events, and later retracted her statement, saying that her false testimony was given under threat and pressure from the FBI.

In any case, Peltier was extradited, and a rigged trial took place in the United States (Fargo, North Dakota, 1977), after which Peltier was sentenced to a double life term in prison, despite expert testimony that the bullets that killed the two agents were not fired from his gun.

According to Amnesty International, "after studying the case in depth for many years… different aspects continue to be of concern regarding the impartiality of the proceedings that led to his conviction, such as the evidence linking him to the point-blank shooting and the coercion of an alleged eyewitness."

Along with about 50 U.S. congress members and several members of the Canadian Parliament, Amnesty International joined with other groups demanding a new trial for Peltier, this time an impartial one, given that it is clear that the defendant suffered manipulation in the case brought against him for his extradition in 1976, for which the prosecution has retained "potentially key" ballistic evidence that "could have helped defend Leonard Peltier."

[B] A SCAPEGOAT?

Some hold that Peltier served as an element of contention against a movement that was taking shape and becoming strong at a time when the government thought it had squelched all indigenous attempts at demanding their rights. The government was particularly desirous of putting a stop to indigenous resistance because of the development of mega-energy projects on lands allocated to tribes via signed treaties.

A large number of the treaties reached with tribal chiefs — when a fatally dissolute level of decorum still existed — were broken at different times and in their overwhelming majority. By the time the abovementioned events occurred, the idea was to repeat these violations of promises made, but it encountered the opposition of new generations united with their elders, convinced that living in harmony with nature was better than destroying it, and considering that there was no reason to cede on rights that had already been considerably diminished, and that it was preferable to defend them no matter what the cost.

Over time, it has been learned that the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota was in reality selected for a "peacekeeping" paramilitary operation by the FBI, which would have taken all of the counterinsurgency war methods it has implemented in various countries, to apply them against nonconformist Indians at a time when various protest movements of oppressed minorities were converging in the country, standing up for their rights.

By the mid-1970s, some 60 members of the AIM or its followers had been killed. Given that the previous "warnings" carried out did not have the desired results, they went on to escalate the attacks and injustice. The context of violence was of such magnitude that the leaders and elders of the Oglala tribe created the Jumping Bull encampment — where the fatal events later occurred — to protect their families from the deadly police and paramilitary operations.

The fact that the people were capable of organizing and resisting was intolerable to the "white authorities," who sought a pretext and a scapegoat to put a stop to indigenous attempts at resistance. They had Peltier in their sights because of his popularity. Later, he became the right man to be used in their plan of containment. Asked why he had not been given another trial, he said, "They know that if I get a new trial, they have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning."

Before his case was sent to the Federal Parole Commission, he was beaten in jail, as a way of trying to dampen his activism in prison for noble causes. It was also meant to lay the bases for putting him in solitary confinement, alleging that he was centrally responsible for the disorder, and depicting him as an inveterate rebel after three decades of attempting to wear him down. That was how he was to appear before the board that was to evaluate him, in a position that was not at all advantageous.

In July 2009 he was assessed for parole, always denied. His lawyer spoke in favor of parole, citing his good conduct and the promise of the Turtle Mountain tribe to take him into their fold.

The parole denial was based on the idea that releasing him would "disregard the seriousness of his offenses and would promote disrespect for the law." The commission ignored the fact that one of the former defendants had admitted shortly before that he had fired the shots that killed the agents.

This means that not even the conclusive evidence of that spontaneous confession was enough for those who used and maintain the opinion that they are making an "example" out of him, so that others do not dare to be defiant again.

It is shameful to know that Peltier’s next parole hearing is in 14 (!) years. The commissioners know that Peltier is suffering from several serious conditions, and is receiving poor medical attention, meaning they could become worse or even cause his death while incarcerated.

Prominent individuals from the arts, the law and politics, as well as ordinary citizens from many countries, are demanding clemency for such a glaringly twisted case, taken to an extreme of notorious perversity.

At this time, a letter to Barack Obama is circulating with the request that Peltier’s case be reviewed, or freedom should be given to a man who never should have been subject to such a prolonged and illegal sentence. There are no great hopes that this president, among all the others who were similarly petitioned, will be the one to absolve him.

http://www.granma.cu/portugues/logo.png (http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html)

Communist
25th February 2010, 02:46
.
Forwarded on behalf of
LP-DOC - PO Box 7488 - Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: 701/235-2206; Fax:701/235-5045
contact(AT)whoisleonardpeltier.info ([email protected])

February 24, 2010

APPEAL DENIED!

Today we received word that the parole decision has been affirmed by
the U.S. Parole Commission. The Parole Commission made no concessions
except for one -- to finally recognize Leonard's "recent prison
record of good conduct." The Parole Commission went on to say that
Leonard's age, health, and release plan were all considered, but that
these elements "don't warrant his release at this time." All legal
arguments made by the Peltier attorney Eric Seitz were rejected.

Once again, we're told that innocence is no defense. Yet again,
the government has singled out Leonard Peltier as a scapegoat. As
has always been the case, they intend to force Leonard Peltier to
pay the price for the killings of their agents despite the lack
of evidence against him. This is nothing short of politically
motivated vengeance.

Leonard won't receive another full parole hearing until he is nearly
80 years old. Already at risk for blindness, kidney failure, stroke,
and certainly premature death given his diet, living conditions,
and health care, this parole decision is also nothing less than a
death sentence.

Don't accept the unacceptable. Demand Leonard's freedom. Call the
White House comment line every day to express your outrage. Call:
(202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1112. You also can send an e-mail
to the White House. Go to <http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/>
. Mail or fax a letter to President Barack Obama, The White House,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
20500; Fax - (202) 456-2461.

-----
Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

Communist
4th March 2010, 02:34
.
Forwarded on behalf of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

Call to Action: UN Universal Periodic Review to assess
U.S. compliance with human rights obligations

The United States is a member of the United Nations Human Rights
Council (HRC) and will be reviewed for the first time this year by
the HRC's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in November
2010. Under the UPR all 192 UN member States (countries) are reviewed
every 4 years to assess compliance with their obligations to respect
and implement human rights for all. The review is based on each
country's national report as well as independent submissions from
"civil society stakeholders," including Indigenous Peoples.

The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee is participating in
the national report in a number of different ways, but we can't be
in all places at one time. Therefore, we're asking supporters to
attend the U.S. State Department's "listening sessions" around the
country and speak up on Leonard's behalf. While five sessions have
already occurred, there are still five locations where sessions will
occur during the next several weeks. These are unique opportunities
to bring attention to Leonard's case and the human rights violations
to which he has been subjected by the U.S. government.

Session Schedule

-- El Paso, TX, on March 8-9; Location: Camino Real Hotel

-- Birmingham, AL, on March 11-12, Location: Miles College

-- New Mexico, on March 16 and 17; Locations: UNM Law School (16th); Window
Rock, Navajo Nation (17th). The NM sessions have been planned
specifically for Indigenous Peoples and Nations, to receive input
for its national report. Focus themes for the Albuquerque session
will include Sovereignty and Self Determination, Nation to Nation
Relations, Lands, Territories and Natural Resources,
Treaty Rights and Sacred Sites among others.

-- Chicago, IL, Date TBC, Location: TBC

-- San Francisco, CA, on March 25-26, Location TBC (USF Law School
and/or Boalt Hall, UC Berkeley)

Although these cities have been confirmed, in some cases the meeting
sites and/or local contact organizations are still being worked out
with the onsite hosts and Coordinating Committees. The best contact
at this time for specific information about the rest of these
listening sessions and who you can contact for more information
about participation is Sarah Paoletti, Senior Coordinator for
the US Human Rights Network UPR Project. She can be reached
paoletti(AT)law.upenn.edu ([email protected]) . You can also contact Laura Baum, USHRN
Staff Coordinator at lbaum(AT)ushrnetwork.org ([email protected]).

A word from Leonard: He's pleased that supporters are stepping up
to speak on his behalf this way. He thanks you and asks only that
you do your homework. It's imperative that you relay complete and
accurate information.

If you need assistance with preparing your statement for a session,
contact us. We'll be happy to brainstorm with you. Otherwise,
we recommend that you use "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter
Matthiessen as your source material.

Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488 - Fargo, ND 58106
(701) 235-2206 (Phone); (701) 235-5045 (Fax)

www.whoisleonardpeltier.info (http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/)

contact(AT)whoisleonardpeltier.info ([email protected])

Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org (http://www.freepeltiernow.org/)

Communist
6th March 2010, 07:08
.
Message of solidarity

Imprisoned Indigenous leader says ‘Free Mumia!’ (http://www.workers.org/2010/us/peltier_0311/)

Mar 5, 2010

Leonard Peltier was a leader of the American Indian Movement in 1976 when he was arrested and charged with the deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout at the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Oglala-Lakota Nation. He has now been imprisoned for 34 years — one of the world’s longest-held political prisoners. Peltier sent the following message to an international teach-in held Feb. 13 in Philadelphia on the struggle to free death-row inmate and former Black Panther Party activist Mumia Abu-Jamal.

http://www.workers.org/2009/us/peltier_0212.jpg
Leonard Peltier

Greetings brothers and sisters, and thank you for attending this event to listen, learn, teach and organize. I am Leonard Peltier, a proud Lakota and Anishinabe American Indian activist, organizer and patriot. I am likewise, unfortunately, a fellow political prisoner in this “land of the free.”

I, along with my family, my supporters, and American Indians everywhere, know full well what the justice system of the United States can mean to the brown man, the black man, and any man or woman who dares to think or talk truth to power.

That we have been made targets in our own country should outrage every single man and woman everywhere, no matter the color, background or political leaning. That this country continues the barbaric practices of executions should be opposed by all people of conscience.

http://www.workers.org/2005/us/mumiaco2.jpg
Mumia Abu-Jamal

Whether or not you approve of capital punishment is irrelevant as long as minorities are executed with alarming disparities. Whether you approve or not is of secondary concern when people like Mumia Abu-Jamal, myself and many others are convicted and sentenced to die with evidence that would exonerate most any white man. As such, every single progressive organization should oppose the death penalty as we now know it.

This has not been a case of justice or the law, it has been politics, racism and control, and we should confront these issues long before we decide who to execute. As long as we have these inequities in our midst, we will continue to convict and execute innocents. Execute — let’s call it what it really is — state sanctioned murder! Why does America allow this brand of “justice” to exist?

That is a question that must haunt the soul of every true American patriot. For as long as it does, America can never be the bastion of freedom it has claimed to be, the light in the darkness it wants to be, nor the high ground of morality it hopes to be.

Pay attention to the names this government uses when it is opposed. The American government has called other countries “evil empire” and “axis of evil.” The rest of the world hears this and scoffs! Why? Because they see this country convicting, imprisoning, and executing innocent minorities and political liabilities while claiming to be a free society — because they see corporate personhood allowing the rape of the Earth and desecration of the sacred — because they see this country waging illegal war while claiming to love peace — and because they see this country propping up murderous dictators while giving lip service to human rights. The rest of the world sees all of this and wonders, is not America the real evil empire?

I, like Mumia, have been called a terrorist by my own government. Well, I never knew a terrorist who advocated the rule of law as we have. Some people need to find a new dictionary!

There may be other parts of the world which are breeding grounds for terrorism, but this government makes sure they have fertile ground to harvest. We are not the terrorists! I love my country. Progressive thinking people love this country. It is thusly our patriotic duty to respond to such government with righteous indignation! It is only when we allow a corrupt government to corrupt our very minds that a patriot becomes a terrorist!

As long as you are willing to work for justice, all political prisoners can still hope for freedom. Real power starts from the bottom and goes up, not the other way around. Free Mumia!

In solidarity,

Leonard Peltier
____________




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