Leonard Peltier parole hearing set July 27, 2009

Free Leonard Peltier!

http://hightimes.com/legal/dskye/5518

Leonard Peltier parole hearing set July 27, 2009

by Dan Skye
Sun, Jun 07, 2009

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 you­your heart, your writing...

Here is a suggested letter for you to send. It is critical that
everyone write­no 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 case­filing 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.

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