March, rally for Leonard Peltier in Tacoma

March, rally for Leonard Peltier in Tacoma
Puyallup Tribal News
Thursday, 5 January 2012

As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist. -- Sitting Bull

March, rally for Leonard Peltier in Tacoma

February 4 will be an international day in solidarity with Leonard Peltier, and a Northwest regional march and rally will be held in Tacoma. This march is answering the call by the Leonard Peltier Defense Organizing (LPDOC) Committee for marches and rallies to be held on this day around the world in support of clemency for Leonard Peltier.

Of all the regional marches in Tacoma, 16 since 1992, this is the most important one yet. The New Leonard Peltier Clemency Campaign is building and public support is critical. If you are a regular supporter, you are asked to join in again. If you are a new supporter who has thought about supporting Leonard Peltier, now is the time to do it. This effort needs the help of everyone.

The march begins at noon at Portland Avenue Park (on Portland Avenue between East 35th and East Fairbanks.) From there, the march travels through downtown Tacoma for a rally at the U.S. Federal Courthouse, 1717 Pacific Ave.

The rally will be co-emceed by Matilaja, a Yu’Pik Eskimo from Mountain Village Alaska, and member of N.W. AIM since 1973, friend of Leonard Peltier for more than 30 years and member of Tacoma Chapter LPDOC; and Steve Hapy, a longtime Leonard Peltier and Native struggles activist and organizer with the Tacoma chapter of LPDOC.
Additional highlight of the rally:

Drum: Albert Combs and Coastal Hand Drum Singers

Welcoming: Deeahop Conway – Puyallup Tribal member, Tacoma Chapter LPDOC

Leonard's case and update: Arthur J. Miller, Northwest Regional Organizer LPDOC, Tacoma Chapter LPDOC, longtime union member and human rights activist

Keynote Speaker: Ramona Bennett – Puyallup Tribal Elder, lifelong friend of Leonard Peltier

Chester Earl: Puyallup Tribal member

Zoltan Grossman: Evergreen State College faculty in Geography and Native Studies in Olympia; former board member of Midwest Treaty Network in Wisconsin.

Closing words: David Duenas, Puyallup Tribal Member

CARPOOLS

Olympia: There will be a carpool leaving from the parking lot at Harrison and Division at 10:15 a.m.

Portland: Meet up outside of KBOO Radio Station (20 S.E. 8th, Portland, OR 97124) before embarking to Tacoma between 9-9:30 a.m.

Seattle: Meet at the Red Apple parking lot at 23rd and Jackson by the bus stop; will be leaving at 10:30 a.m.

NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZERS

We need new banners and signs. We need video of this event to use for support work. We need supporters to copy and share this flier to get out to as many people possible. We need people to forward our e-mail statements. We need people to share on Facebook information on the march. Our marches are not about one group but rather they are the work of all Peltier supporters in our region.

Leonard needs resolutions for clemency from Tribes, Unions, Human Rights Organizations and others. See a sample resolution at: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/resolution.htm.

For donations, make checks payable to the Leonard Peltier Defense/Offense Committee (mark them for NW March) and send them to: Tacoma Chapter LPODC, P.O. Box 5464, Tacoma, WA 98415.

Join Tacoma Chapter LPDOC on Facebook at facebook.com/tacoma.lpdoc. Subscribe to: Northwest Peltier Support at: nwpeltiersupport-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

For more information, visit http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info