Seattle: Peltier Must Go Free

On Friday, August 13, the 3rd Circuit Common Law Court convened in Seattle, WA, to hear evidence in the Peltier case. This action on the part of activists in Seattle demonstrates that Peltier enjoys support from across the entire political spectrum. As we have said before, Peltier's case isn't a matter of left vs. right, but of right vs. wrong. Regardless of one's politics, upon hearing all the facts of the Peltier case, people most often conclude that Peltier's case is fraught with injustices and that Peltier's conviction should not be allowed to stand.

The issue addressed at Friday's hearing was whether or not Peltier's civil rights have been violated. Presided over by Chief Justice Patricia Johnson-Holm Shupe, the jury decided that Peltier's rights have been violated and he should be immediately released. The jury also decided to proceed with the Grand Jury to bring indictments on multiple charges against those who violated Peltier's civil rights.

Caveat: Federal and state governments do NOT recognize common law courts. However, do you agree that the courts, politicians, and government officials have followed the tenets of the U.S. Constitution when it comes to the case of Leonard Peltier? If you don't, then demand that the officers of the courts, politicians, and government officials uphold their oath to defend the Constitution. Let your voice be heard. (And don't be afraid of being called "silly" by Ed Woods, the former FBI agent who runs the No Parole for Peltier Association. He is one of those folks who took an oath to defend the Constitution. Nice to know he thinks that responsibility -- everyone's civic responsibility -- is "silly". That kinda tells the tale, doesn't it?)

We'll share more information on the findings of the jury as it becomes available.

Common law activists argue that "common law" is independent of other legal systems, rather than all being part of a whole. According to common law doctrine, the common law originated in the Middle Ages to protect property rights. The American Revolution destroyed allegiance to the British crown, but kept common law rights of property. This situation made every man "sovereign" over his own property. Neither Congress nor state legislatures nor county or city ordinance nor judicial ruling by any courts could deprive people of their common law rights and grievances were to be settled by common law juries which decided the facts and the law of the case.

Reading List

Have You Thought of Leonard Peltier Lately? by Harvey Arden
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse by Peter Matthiessen
Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance by Leonard Peltier
The Trial of Leonard Peltier by Jim Messerschmidt