People Who Love Freedom - by Leonard Peltier
http://socialistworker.org/2009/06/30/people-who-love-freedom
"I don't want to spend the rest of my life in this prison. And I don't want you to spend the rest of your life in some prison of the mind, heart or attitude. I want you to enjoy your life..."
To be frank, Obama probably has never heard of Leonard Peltier and AIM. He would probably be uncaring even if he had heard the whole story. There is no popular movement to free Leonard Peltier among American people and this hurts his case tremendously. This case is similar to the Black Panther leaders that were murdered by state agents in the 60's and early 70's - there was no justice for them either. When you have the entire justice system, the FBI, and the office of the President against you then you are fighting against all the impossible odds.
Why hasn't Obama released him? Because it was Obama's brother who imprisoned him.
NDPPTo be frank, Obama probably has never heard of Leonard Peltier and AIM. He would probably be uncaring even if he had heard the whole story. There is no popular movement to free Leonard Peltier among American people and this hurts his case tremendously. This case is similar to the Black Panther leaders that were murdered by state agents in the 60's and early 70's - there was no justice for them either. When you have the entire justice system, the FBI, and the office of the President against you then you are fighting against all the impossible odds.
I find it hard to believe Obama wouldn't have heard of Peltier but I don't find it hard to believe he would probably be uncaring. It was BC and Canada handed him over of course. Legally, Peltier was apprehended beyond the treaty frontier and under constitutional and international law beyond the jurisdictional reach of Canada to hand him over to the US in the first place.
Anyway he's done over 30 years in prison now and if you haven't already please learn more, sign the petition and pass it on. Maybe the NDP Convention can write a letter on his behalf and give it to "Obama's inner circle" to pass on to Barack?
All I know is this, I have never heard in speech or read in print anything suggesting that Obama has any recollections or information about Peltier. This is my only evidence. Some people think that Obama is an amazing revolutionary leader but is that the truth? I do not see it.
Nor I. Very much the contrary I'm afraid..
Today, We All Stand Before Leonard Peltier's Parole Board
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/28/14717/4059
"Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been in prison for more than 12,226 days, more than 33 years, certainly of of the longest ordeals of any political prisoner in history.
Today, July 28, 2009, Peltier goes before his Federal Parole Board in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania..
It is in many ways one of the most important tests of the new Obama administration.."
The FBI War on Indian Radicals
http://socialistworker.org/2009/07/28/fbi-war-on-indian-radicals
From the Leonard Peltier Facebook group: the latest update.
Greetings. I just got off the telephone with Leonard. He asked me to tell you that we must 'keep up the pressure, we can't relax' so I'm passing on that message.On a personal note - he sounded good. His health continues to be an issue but nothing deeply pressing at the moment (ie we will be dealing with this later - parole first) - so your thoughts, prayers and sage have worked. Of course, he's wondering about the future and there was discussion around that. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone - certainly to the witnesses of the day - Peter, Thom and the Turtle Mtn representative. To the people who were at Lewisburg that day. Of course his family members who continue on this journey with him. To the many around this country and the world that held gatherings, vigils.And to you - all of the online supporters who have made, and continue to make such impact. He liked the idea of what we all did last week with The White House suggestion emails. Said to say thank you to all the supporters from the various foreign countries, such as this week's push from Canada.
Much of our conversation centered around the messages I needed to pass on from you and that he wanted to be clear with me you know how grateful he is to everyone. I told him that you feel the gratitude; hope that's all right.
So...we keep going. Keep the calls, messages etc up this week. His patience level is pretty good - so for me, I'm trying to follow his example.
Thank you - will let you know any news I hear this week.
Peace,
Billie
35 Years of Harassment: Why is Leonard Peltier in Solitary?
http://counterpunch.org/armstrong08052011.html
Because Canada handed him over to them...
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/fb/petition/petition/grant-clemenc...
Only 18 days left to get over 5,000 signatures!!! "
Anyone who doesn't sign this better not be complaining about native rights later when they weren't willing to take 5 minutes of their life...
Peltier is in prison for the same reasons as every other political prisoner, they challenged authority in a meaningful way. That is NEVER excused by the powerful.
American Indian Activist Leonard Peltier Marks 40 Years in Prison
http://www.rt.com/usa/331614-peltier-prison-40-years-obama/
"Leonard Peltier has been in prison for longer than he was a free man. Saturday marks his 40th year in US custody, the American Indian Movement (AIM) writes in his open letter published by Counterpunch.
The 71 year old, who admits he's 'not sure I have much time left', is still being held in a maximum security penitentiary..."
And he was handed over by Canada.
Free Peltier!
Trudeau Government Refuses To Back Clemency Appeal For Leonard Peltier
http://ipolitics.ca/2016/12/22/trudeau-government-refuses-to-back-clemen...
"The federal government has turned down a plea from the legal community to support a clemency appeal for Leonard Peltier in the waning days of the Obama administration. Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould turned down a request issued by the Canadian Bar Association..."
'And the strings from your puppeteers' hands turning you, twisting you into forms of confusion' - from Trudel link above (Merry Xmas to Canada's Justice Minister)
See Above. Ask why? *
Dahr Jamail: Will Obama Grant Leonard Peltier His Last Chance at Freedom?
http://truth-out.org/news/item/38770-will-obama-grant-leonard-peltier-hi...
"It is higly likely Peltier will die in jail if he is not granted clemency, given an incoming Trump administration. Obama has a crucial chance to support his survival. Over the next month, we will see whether or not he takes it."
Democracy Now - Free Leonard Peltier: Obama Urged to Grant Clemency to Native American Activist (and vid)
"They're giving hin the death penalty by leaving him in that environment..."
Why Leonard Peltier is Still in Prison 40 Years Later
Ward Churchill Interview on Leonard Peltier
*Why Canada's Just-Us Minister and US President Obama conspire to keep Peltier wrongfully imprisoned.
It's a disgrace that Peltier is still in jail.
The Canadian government should listen to the late Warren Allamnd, former Liberal Solicitor General whose funeral was held recently in Montreal: [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20021003082853/http://freepeltier.org/allmand... statement on Peltier case, 1999[/url]
A Special Appeal - by Leonard Peltier
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/12/30/a-special-appeal/
"Over the past 41+ years, with over 20 years of good time (GT) credit, I have now over 60 prison years of time served...Just maybe I can go home to die with my people."
How shocking and disgraceful Canada's Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould has blocked Peltier's clemency.
Decide for yourself:
Top Prosecutor in Leonard Peltier Case Urges Clemency in 'Extraordinary' Move
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/41209-top-prosecutor...
"An open letter to Obama, penned by a US attorney involved in the case against the Native American activist, is a strong development in his bid for freedom. Peltier's request for clemency is not a pardon appeal, but simply asks that Obama reduce the sentence.
'If he doesn't take action before 19 January, Mr Peltier will die in jail. He's too frail and too sick to make it much longer in the prison system.'
Canada, who handed him over to the US, has denied support for his clemency case. See #13
Leonard Peltier 'Condemned' To Die in Prison : Amnesty
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous-no-clemency-obama-leonard-peltier-1.39...
"We are deeply saddened by the news that President Obama will not let Leonard go home,' read a statement from Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA.
'The failure to act may have condemned him to die in prison.'
with a little helping hand from Canada and its collaborating Justice Minister...
Free Leonard Peltier! (and vid)
https://twitter.com/AmericanIndian8/status/1076220063735316485
Who is Leonard Peltier?
https://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
"You can help..."
Peltier has COVID-19: President Joe Biden do the right thing. FREE LEONARD!
https://covertactionmagazine.com/2022/02/03/peltier-has-covid-19-preside...
"On January 28th, Brian Schatz, (D-Hawaii), chairman of the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs urged President Biden to commute the sentence of Native American activist Leonard Peltier and send him home.
A Lakota and Chippewa, Peltier has now been in prison for 46 years, making him among the longest imprisoned persons in the US, and has recently been diagnosed with COVID-9.
Peltier told the Huffington Post that being in prison in the era of COVID-9 is like being in a 'torture chamber' and 'in hell'.
The US has continuously championed itself as the beacon of democracy and judicial fairness. It maligns Russia and China for having terrible human rights records, and claims to have no political prisoners, which is as far from the truth as the east from the west..."
Unfortunately, Joe Biden is about the same distance.
Ask your MP to take a stand since it was Canada that handed him over:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Advocates Urge Biden to Grant Clemency to Leonard Peltier
https://rabble.ca/columnists/advocates-urge-biden-to-grant-clemency/
"President Biden must take action, granting long overdue clemency to Leonard Peltier after close to half a century in prison for a blatantly political persecution..."
Hope so but won't hold my breath. Dems owe FBI bigtime for services rendered in Russiagate hoax and whatever else they may have on this old criminal.
Getting dirt to leverage the leadership is well established operating procedure for this force.
Long overdue clemency for sure - what a tragedy. I hope COVID-19 doesn't kill him before he gets a taste of very LONG deserved freedom.
What a travesty of justice!
UN Human Rights Legal Experts Call For Immediate Release of Leonard Peltier
https://www.yahoo.com/now/u-n-human-rights-legal-215622252.html
"The prolonged imprisonment of Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier is 'arbitrary' and the US government should release him immediately, concludes a damning legal opinion released by the United Nations Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Peltier, 77, has been in prison for 46 years without any evidence that he committed a crime and after a trial that was riddled with misconduct..."
And it was Canada that illegally handed him over to this barbaric American persecution-as-prosecution and imprisonment, but how often do you hear settler-Canadian do-gooders bring it up?
Joe Biden should take his place! FREE PELTIER!
DNC Unanimously Passes Resolution Urging Joe Biden To Release Leonard Peltier
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday voted unanimously to pass a resolution urging President Joe Biden to release activist Leonard Peltier from prison ― a sign of the growing momentum to remedy what many consider a decadeslong stain on the nation’s criminal justice system.
quote:
The DNC resolution states that Peltier, now 77, is an ideal candidate for leniency “given the overwhelming support for clemency, the constitutional due process issues underlying Mr. Peltier’s prosecution, his status as an elderly inmate, and that he is an American Indian, who suffer from greater rates of health disparities and severe underlying health conditions.”
It concludes: “It is highly appropriate that consideration of clemency for Mr. Peltier be prioritized and expedited, so that Mr. Peltier can return to his family and live his final years among his people.”
This is an obscenity that Leonard Peltier is still in prison after 45 years and after being eligible for parole in 1993.
Yes. And Canada was the one that handed him over.
