Leonard Peltier is a political prisoner and member of the American Indian Movement. In 1977 he was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment for the murder of two FBI Agents who died during a 1975 shoot-out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the trial was a total farce.
In 1999, Amnesty International called for his release from Prison. Leonard will be 33 years imprisoned in February. He is 64 years of age and in bad health.
American dirty tactics where as common as ever in this case, torturing and tormenting a mentally ill "witness" to get what they wanted and fabricating evidence, all the hallmarks of a farce.
Leonard has not been forgotten throughout the years, and he now has renewed hope of freedom with the election of Barack Obama, someone he hopes is more informed and supportive of civil rights and related issues, at least more than the murdering Bush.
America still has racism, still has discrimination, from housing to education as well as a detention centre for Muslims, hardly a showcase of democracy.
In his latest letter to the outside world, Leonard speaks out about Black people still suffering from discrimination. It is probably because of this and the knowledge that Obama grew up with and was influenced by the Black Civil Rights, that he has this new hope.
The question is, how far will Obama go to reverse what Bush and his cronies have done? Will he bring about change or will he be influenced by aging conservatives? And will he free innocent people like Leonard Peltier, and heal the wounds inflicted upon him and his native american people?
As internationalists we should inform ourselves and be a step ahead of the increasing US media presence that promotes the imperialist "democracy".
"I truly believe the truth will set me free, but it will also signify a symbolic break from America's undeclared war on indigenous peoples." – Leonard Peltier
Recent letter from Leonard
More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Peltier
5 comments:
HERES A BLOG I POSTED ON ANOTHER SITE THE DAY AFTER Barack Obama WAS ELECTED....charlie mc menamin, Hope Ogra keep up the pressure and keep on campaigning for leonard.
"congratulations to Barack Obama on his victory over fascist rule by the bush administration,he is a man of change and i hope he does make changes,heres a starting point. When Bill Clinton left office he refused to pardon native american Leonard Peltier by executive clemency, I feel that Mr Obama has the power now to grant americas longest serving political prisoner his freedom.This man has spent half of his 63 years of life imprisoned on political trumped up charges," Leonards voice from inside the cage asks you,
" What will you do now ? ."
Be the change, question everything, its your duty as a citizen.
Be one voice if in your heart you can stand in support.
Join your voice with our's and together we can create change.just do'nt talk about it,do it.I BELIEVE YOU WILL.Charlie,DERRY CITY
I noticed you posted a link to the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC); but that group no longer exists although that website is still online.
The new defense group for Leonard is now the LP-DOC (Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee), based in Fargo, North Dakota. The correct url for their website is:
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
Could you please correct the link on your page?
Thank you for supporting Leonard Peltier!!!
Els Herten
coordinator KOLA / IPF
"As internationalists we should inform ourselves and be a step ahead of the increasing US media presence that promotes the imperialist "democracy"."
That doesn't even make sense :S
Great post!!!
Write to Leonard Peltier this Christmas-make him realise he is not alone in him fight for Freedom. His address is at the bottom of the open letter to barrack obama which is linked on this post.
maith thu ogra
Peter
Happy to see progressive Irish folks back up on Leonard Peltier.
Only wish my people, the Danes, would do more of the same.
Peltier has lend his voice to all ethnic groups suffering the wrongs of economic, racial & political suppression - and yes, with Barack Black Eagle many of us hope to see Leonard Peltier free at last.
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