Leonard Peltier demands his freedom

A press conference and vigil were held at the downtown federal building June 26 to support Leonard Peltier and his upcoming parole effort on July 28. Supporters are being asked to write letters on behalf of Peltier, a leader of the American Indian Movement and one of the longest-held political prisoners in the U.S.

Supporters of Leonard Peltier rally in front of San Francisco Federal Building. (Kathy Peltier, center) WW photo: Judy Greenspan

The press conference marked the 34th anniversary of the attack by FBI agents and other police on Oglala-Lakota Native American activists on Pine Ridge Reservation. On June 26, 1975, two FBI agents were shot and killed during a shoot-out and Peltier was charged with their murders. Despite the absence of eyewitnesses and any evidence proving Peltier’s involvement in the shootings, this Native American leader was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison.

The press conference was attended by Peltier’s daughter, Kathy Peltier, who urged everyone to continue to support her father’s parole bid for freedom. Tony Gonzales and Sampson Wolfe, two local Native American leaders of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, also spoke.

A short statement by Peltier was read at the press conference, which stated in part: “I am not a philosopher or poet or a singer or any of those things that particularly inspire people, but the one thing that I am is the evidence that this country lied when they said there was justice for all. I am the evidence that the attitude, the powers that be still hold us in a grip.

“They hold us in an emotional grip. They hold us in a poverty grip. They hold us in a cultural deprivation grip. And we as a people are the evidence that this country fails to keep its treaties, this country fails to keep its word. This country has failed to follow its own Constitution - the treaty between the people and the government. We are that evidence.” Peltier’s full statement can be read at http://freepeltiernow.blogspot.com/2009.

During his more than 33 years of incarceration, Peltier has continued to speak out in support of Native peoples’ rights. He has won international acclaim and support for his tireless activism on behalf of human rights for Indigenous peoples. Peltier is an internationally acclaimed writer and artist. In 2004, Leonard Peltier ran for U.S. president on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.

Letters supporting Peltier’s parole effort should be addressed to the U.S. Parole Commission, 5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 420, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286. Your letter must reference Peltier’s prison number, 20815-7286.

Free Leonard Peltier!