Applications for Peltier Scholarship Due on February 4

The dealine for the Honorary Leonard Peltier Scholarship is coming up this week, February 4th at 4:00 pm. To see more information and download the application go to www.oglalacommemoration.com/scholarship.html. Interested persons also can pick up an application at the Oglala Lakota College financial aid office.

Silent Bear and Kari Hallow Horn on KGNU Boulder Tonight

Boulder support branch coordinator Silent Bear and Native hip hop artist Kari Hallow Horn (blood grandson of Wallace Black Elk) will be on the Eclipse show on KGNU BOULDER tonight (Sunday, Jan. 31st) 7:00-10:00 pm (MT) promoting the upcoming Rally for Leonard Peltier on Saturday, February 6th. Also get a preview of Kari's performance at the Rally.

http://www.kgnu.org

Tune in!

This Sunday, Jan. 31: Cindy Sheehan on Leonard Peltier

On The Air And In The Streets - Get On The Soapbox

Betty Ann Peltier Solano will be Cindy Sheehan's radio guest on www.CindySheehansSoapbox.com on Sunday, January 31, at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific)

Click here to listen or download, beginning at 2:00 PM San Francisco time.

New Year 2010 Message from Betty Ann Peltier-Solano

Dear Friends and Supporters,

First, we've received calls in recent days about an obituary some of you have seen on the Internet. This obituary was for another man named Leonard Peltier, not my brother. I can well imagine the grief that man's family and friends must feel, as well as the shock some of you experienced when you read the notice. Thank you to those of you who called and expressed your concern.

If you have questions about things you see announced on the Internet, we recommend that you first check our blog for confirmation. There's a link to the blog from our home page at www.whoisleonardpeltier.info or you can go directly to http://lpdoc.blogspot.com. We will always make any major announcements -- good or bad -- on our blog and/or via our mailing list. If you know people who haven't joined our mailing list, tell them that they can do so from our home page.

I recently returned from Washington, DC, and a conference with some legal team members. Ten of us met all one day to discuss issues and develop various strategies. You'll be informed of various actions/plans when it's appropriate for us to do so, but I want to tell you that I have more hope in my heart than ever before. I also know there’s a great deal of work to be done in 2010 to secure Leonard’s freedom. Success will not be quick or easy, and there may be disappointments along the way, but we must and will continue the fight to free Leonard. I ask everyone to expend the same energy as you did in 2009 towards that end. We simply can't succeed without you.

The first submissions for the ZOOM IN Campaign will be mailed to Attorney General Holder around February 6, the date that marks 34 years of imprisonment for Leonard. 34 years! Due to requests received from organizers who wish to use their February 6th events to collect more photos/flyers, we'll send a second package to AG Holder on March 1. For background and instructions, see www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/zoom1.htm. Demand an Executive Review of the Peltier case.

Through letters to the editor of your local newspaper, calling in to local radio talk shows, tabling at local events, leafleting on your city streets, etc., you can have an impact on the attitudes of people in your community. More than that, you can motivate those people to get active in the campaign to free Leonard. Get a couple of your friends together and establish a LP-DOC support branch in your community today. Send an e-mail to contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info to get started.

We’re pleased to announce the availability of Giclée Reproductions of never-before-seen paintings by Leonard Peltier. These are high quality ink-jet prints using fade-resistant "archival" inks. Commonly found in museums and art and photographic galleries, they are simply the best quality reproductions available. They look just like the originals, but are available at a fraction of the cost. We invite you to visit www.leonardpeltierart.com for details. For more information, contact Monica Martinez Donovan by e-mail at Monica15@q.com or call 719-687-8750. Proceeds will benefit my brother's legal fund.

Like many similar organizations, we’re still facing a funding shortfall. To carry out our plans for 2010, we need your help. We currently have two raffles for which you can purchase tickets. Enter to win a painting (http://lpdoc.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-raffle-peltier-original-painting.html) by Leonard Peltier OR a hand-crafted flute (http://lpdoc.blogspot.com/2009/11/raffle.html) by gifted artist Leslie C. Thunder Hawk.

Donations are always welcome and very appreciated. Please make a pledge of support at www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/donate.htm. Donations may also be made by check or money order made payable to the LP-DOC. Mail your donation to LP-DOC, PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106.

Again, thank you for all you do on Leonard's behalf. Together, we'll make 2010 count.


Betty Ann Peltier Solano
Executive Director
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

25 Jan 2010: Redford on Peltier (Democracy Now)

Interview by Amy Goodman with Robert Redford is available at www.democracynow.org.

The introduction to the interview begins at 12:00 min. The interview begins at 14:13 min. Comments on Peltier and "Incident at Oglala," specifically, begin at 38:39 min.

Rumor of Leonard Peltier's passing

The Bismarck Tribune recently reported the passing of a Leonard Peltier, but not political prisoner Leonard Peltier. The obituary was for a 55-year-old man who lived in Williston. He passed away on Jan. 21, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center.

Free Radio Santa Cruz: Sampson Wolfe on Leonard Peltier

On January 21, 2010, Sampson Wolfe gave a talk about Leonard Peltier on Free Radio Santa Cruz.

You can listen online at http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/38983.

Mobilize in Solidarity: No Death Penalty for Mumia!

No Death Penalty for Mumia!

In New York City:

WED, 1/20, 4-7 PM, HARLEM STATE OFFICE BLDG, 125TH & 7TH

In Philadelphia:

In Philadelphia demonstrate Wednesday, Jan 20 at 4pm at the SE corner of City Hall (Juniper St.). Bring signs and noisemakers (pots, pans, whistles, etc). Bring copies of any Mumia literature you have. At the demonstration International Concerned Friends & Family of Mumia Abu Jamal spokespeople will give updates and legal analysis.

From CNN
http://www.facebook.com/l/6ee22;www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/19/scotus.abu.jamal/


Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has tossed out a lower court ruling that nullified the death sentence for former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. He has been an outspoken activist from behind bars, claiming there were procedural errors during his capital sentencing, and that too few blacks were on the jury. Pennsylvania officials were appealing a federal court ruling on the sentencing question that went in Abu-Jamal's favor in 2008.

The justices made their announcement Monday, ordering a federal appeals court to revisit its earlier ruling granting a new sentencing hearing. The high court last year denied Abu-Jamal's separate petition for a new trial.

The appeals court now has the option of re-imposing the death sentence or ordering a new federal trial to hear other claims of injustice raised by Abu-Jamal.


--
Free Leonard Peltier!
Free All Political Prisoners!
For information:
nycjericho@gmail.com • http://www.jerichony.org/

Obama's invisible apology

Obama's invisible apology
A sorry saga

Obama signs Native American apology resolution; fails to draw attention to it

By Rob Capriccioso

The version signed by Obama became watered down, not making a direct apology from the government, but rather apologizing “on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native peoples by citizens of the United States.”

Even with the more general language, the apology is historic, but the White House has made no announcements to date about it. Nor has Obama expressed an apology to any tribes or Indian citizens, despite saying on the presidential campaign trail that he thought an apology was warranted.

The resolution Obama signed specifically “urges the President to acknowledge the wrongs of the United States against Indian tribes in the history of the United States in order to bring healing to this land.”

So, by signing the document as part of the defense spending bill, did Obama fulfill the resolution? Or, does he have an obligation to say the apology out loud and to let tribes know he signed the resolution?

[White House spokesman Shin Inouye] confirmed that a press release was issued by the White House regarding the president’s signature of the defense appropriations bill, but not one on the apology resolution--nor did the defense release mention that the apology was part of that legislation.

When other countries have apologized for travesties against their own indigenous populations, their leaders have been more up front than the Obama White House to date.

Comment: This tallies with what we've seen of Obama the candidate and president. He's probably offered more symbolic gestures to Indians than any presidential politician. But as president, he's doing the bare minimum to mollify Indians while not alienating anyone else.

Examples: Talking about settling the West and dissolving tribes in his Inaugural Address. Appointing a Republican Mormon to oversee Indian gaming. Holding a tribal summit that accomplished nothing but a promise of more consultations. Settling the Cobell case for pennies on the dollar. Not signing the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights or addressing Leonard Peltier's case (yet). And burying the US apology to Indians and not mentioning it.

We're still waiting for the first case of Obama's saying or doing something that will clearly please Indians but displease non-Indians. We may have a long wait.

06 Feb: LPSG South Bay Peltier Event

Honoring Leonard Peltier:
34 Years of Illegal Arrest

Fundraiser for LP-DOC
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

Saturday, February 6, 2010
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Center for Training and Careers
749 Story Road at Remillard Street
San Jose, CA 95112

(free parking) (close to bus line 25)

Download and circulate flyer.

Program:

♢ Update on Leonard’s case
CJ WalksWithCoyote
♢ Film “Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier”
♢ Entertainment: Drum Group TBA, Cal Skyhawk, Sampson Wolfe and others TBA

Next LPSG South Bay event:
on or near June 26th, 2010, anniversary of the shoot-out at Oglala

Sponsored by LPSG South Bay (Leonard Peltier Support Group)
For more info contact: Donna at 408-293-4774, email: FreeLeonardPeltier@hotmail.com.

Boulder: Feb. 6 Peltier Rally

Click to View
Download here.

On Saturday, February 6, the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee will host a rally at noon at the Boulder County Courthouse for Leonard Peltier. This is to commemorate the 34th anniversary of his arrest and incarceration. Leonard Peltier was convicted in the deaths of two FBI agents at a shootout that the agents started on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After his conviction, his defense obtained thousands of documents showing that the government had fabricated evidence, committed perjury, and had no idea who had actually killed the agents. Despite international calls for a new trial from Amnesty International and other organizations, as well as millions of people worldwide, Leonard is still behind bars. There will be speakers, music and a Native drum group. The Courthouse is located on the Pearl street Mall between 13th and 14th Streets.

Believe

History says, Don't hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea-change on the far side of revenge. Believe that a further shore is reachable from here. Believe in miracles and cures and healing wells.




Excerpt from Doubletake by Seamus Heaney, Nobel Prize in Literature, 1995