Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
04 February 2012: International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier
International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier: Clemency Now!
The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee calls on supporters worldwide to protest against the injustice suffered by Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier. Gather on February 4, 2012, at every federal court house and U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide to demand the freedom of a man wrongfully convicted and illegal imprisoned for 36 years!
Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist wrongfully accused in 1975 in connection with the shooting deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Government documents show that, without any evidence at all, the FBI decided from the beginning of its investigation to 'lock Peltier into the case'.
U.S. prosecutors knowingly presented false statements to a Canadian court to extradite Mr. Peltier to the U.S. The statements were signed by a woman who was forced by FBI agents to say she was an eyewitness. The government has long since admitted that the woman was not present during the shootings.
Meanwhile, in a separate trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. Peltier's co-defendants were acquitted by reason of self defense. Had Leonard been tried with his co-defendants, he also would have been acquitted.
Unhappy with the outcome of the Cedar Rapids trial, prosecutors set the stage for Mr. Peltier's conviction. His trial was moved to an area known for its anti-Indian sentiment—Fargo, North Dakota. The trial judge had a reputation for ruling against Indians, and a juror is known to have made racist comments during Mr. Peltier's trial.
FBI documents prove that the U.S. government went so far as to manufacture the so-called murder weapon, the most critical evidence in the prosecution's case. A ballistics test proved, however, that the gun and shell casings entered into evidence didn't match. The FBI hid this fact from the jury. Mr. Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. According to court records, the United States Attorney who prosecuted the case has twice admitted that no one even knows who fired the fatal shots.
Leonard Peltier is 67 years old and in poor health. An accomplished author and artist, Mr. Peltier is renowned for his humanitarian achievements. In 2009, Leonard was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the sixth consecutive year.
Although the courts have acknowledged evidence of government misconduct—including forcing witnesses to lie and hiding ballistics evidence reflecting his innocence—Mr. Peltier has been denied a new trial on a legal technicality. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, 55 Members of Congress and others—including a judge who sat as a member of the court in two of Mr. Peltier’s appeals—have all called for his immediate release.
The Courts may not be able to act but Barack Obama, as President, can. Please join with us to free an innocent man. On February 4, 2012, tell Obama to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier.
Scheduled events will be announced and details provided at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/.
Launched into cyberspace by the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/
The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee calls on supporters worldwide to protest against the injustice suffered by Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier. Gather on February 4, 2012, at every federal court house and U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide to demand the freedom of a man wrongfully convicted and illegal imprisoned for 36 years!
Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist wrongfully accused in 1975 in connection with the shooting deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Government documents show that, without any evidence at all, the FBI decided from the beginning of its investigation to 'lock Peltier into the case'.
U.S. prosecutors knowingly presented false statements to a Canadian court to extradite Mr. Peltier to the U.S. The statements were signed by a woman who was forced by FBI agents to say she was an eyewitness. The government has long since admitted that the woman was not present during the shootings.
Meanwhile, in a separate trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. Peltier's co-defendants were acquitted by reason of self defense. Had Leonard been tried with his co-defendants, he also would have been acquitted.
Unhappy with the outcome of the Cedar Rapids trial, prosecutors set the stage for Mr. Peltier's conviction. His trial was moved to an area known for its anti-Indian sentiment—Fargo, North Dakota. The trial judge had a reputation for ruling against Indians, and a juror is known to have made racist comments during Mr. Peltier's trial.
FBI documents prove that the U.S. government went so far as to manufacture the so-called murder weapon, the most critical evidence in the prosecution's case. A ballistics test proved, however, that the gun and shell casings entered into evidence didn't match. The FBI hid this fact from the jury. Mr. Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. According to court records, the United States Attorney who prosecuted the case has twice admitted that no one even knows who fired the fatal shots.
Leonard Peltier is 67 years old and in poor health. An accomplished author and artist, Mr. Peltier is renowned for his humanitarian achievements. In 2009, Leonard was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the sixth consecutive year.
Although the courts have acknowledged evidence of government misconduct—including forcing witnesses to lie and hiding ballistics evidence reflecting his innocence—Mr. Peltier has been denied a new trial on a legal technicality. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, 55 Members of Congress and others—including a judge who sat as a member of the court in two of Mr. Peltier’s appeals—have all called for his immediate release.
The Courts may not be able to act but Barack Obama, as President, can. Please join with us to free an innocent man. On February 4, 2012, tell Obama to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier.
Scheduled events will be announced and details provided at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/.
Launched into cyberspace by the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Leonard Peltier Walk for Human Rights Update
Dear Supporters,
We want to thank you in advance for helping with the Leonard Peltier Walk for Human Rights. We appreciate everything that you can do: Some of the immediate needs are as follows:
• Book or confirm camping sites and places for lodging for the walkers
• Book schools or churches that would be willing to accommodate lodging for the walkers
• Book or confirm help with people that can cook for the walkers
• Donations of paper products such as plates, bowls, cups for the sites that the walkers stop
• Food donations
• Gas card donations
• Monetary donations
• Camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, laterns, umbrellas, rain gear
• Permits for walking through the various counties & cities & highways
• Venues that can hold a free concerts
• Places to hold sweat-lodges and ceremonies
• Venues to hold viewings of “Incident at Oglala” and “Warrior”
• Access to Press to communicate the Walk, whether it be TV, Radio, Newpaper, Internet
• First Aid Supplies and Kits
Any help and all donations are much appreciated by “Wind Chases the Sun”. As more information comes up, we will keep you informed. Again, thank you for your support.
Wind Chases the Sun, Inc.
N5679 Skylark Drive, De Pere WI, 54115
Dorothy Ninham Hm (920)-869-2641 Cell (920) 713-8114
Gina Buenrostro Cell (920) 713-2205
Dorothyninham@yahoo.com Gina.Buenrostro@yahoo.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Free Leonard Peltier and Mutulu
Free Leonard & Mutulu!
Mopreme Shakur featuring 2Pac, Leonard Peltier & Aaron Mirmalek
http://youtu.be/GChDNU81K6w
Leonard Peltier CD gets 2 Native American Music Awards nominations
The CD, "My Life Is My Sun Dance: Prison Writings of Leonard Peltier" has been nominated for Best Historical and Best Spoken Word recordings.
The CD features readings of Peltier's words, by best-selling author and former National Geographic writer/editor of 23 years, Harvey Arden, with musical accompaniment by Rev. Goat Carson & the New Orleans Light.
Harvey Arden is also up for nomination for the "Native Heart" award for his tire-less work to share the stories, lives, history, and messages of the Native & Indigenous People, worldwide!
Please vote for all three categories!!!! We need your votes today!
Please register at the following page to vote:
www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/2011awards.cfm
Once you are registered, you can vote here:
www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/votenow.cfm
If you would like to learn more about the CD and Harvey Arden, please visit the following websites:
www.HaveYouThought.com
www.haveyouthought.com/NAMA2011.html
If you are on faceoobk, please visit and "like" the following page for info and updates:
www.facebook.com/HaveYouThought
The CD features readings of Peltier's words, by best-selling author and former National Geographic writer/editor of 23 years, Harvey Arden, with musical accompaniment by Rev. Goat Carson & the New Orleans Light.
Harvey Arden is also up for nomination for the "Native Heart" award for his tire-less work to share the stories, lives, history, and messages of the Native & Indigenous People, worldwide!
Please vote for all three categories!!!! We need your votes today!
Please register at the following page to vote:
www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/2011awards.cfm
Once you are registered, you can vote here:
www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/votenow.cfm
If you would like to learn more about the CD and Harvey Arden, please visit the following websites:
www.HaveYouThought.com
www.haveyouthought.com/NAMA2011.html
If you are on faceoobk, please visit and "like" the following page for info and updates:
www.facebook.com/HaveYouThought
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Leonard Peltier Moved to Florida
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Leonard Peltier has been moved from Oklahoma City to the U.S. Penitentiary at Coleman, Florida.
The United States Penitentiary I in Coleman is a high security facility located in central Florida approximately 50 miles northwest of Orlando, 60 miles northeast of Tampa, and 35 miles south of Ocala.
LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132
USP COLEMAN I
U.S. PENITENTIARY
P.O. BOX 1033
COLEMAN, FL 33521
This is nearly 2,000 miles from Leonard's Nation, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, in North Dakota! Tell the Federal Bureau of Prisons that the only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to (within a 500-mile radius of) his family and Nation. Ideally, Leonard should be moved to the medium security facility at Oxford, WI.
Dr. Thomas Kane, Acting Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
320 1st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534
Phone: (202) 307-3250 (Director); (202) 307-3198 (Switchboard)
Fax: (202) 514-6620
The United States Penitentiary I in Coleman is a high security facility located in central Florida approximately 50 miles northwest of Orlando, 60 miles northeast of Tampa, and 35 miles south of Ocala.
LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132
USP COLEMAN I
U.S. PENITENTIARY
P.O. BOX 1033
COLEMAN, FL 33521
This is nearly 2,000 miles from Leonard's Nation, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, in North Dakota! Tell the Federal Bureau of Prisons that the only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to (within a 500-mile radius of) his family and Nation. Ideally, Leonard should be moved to the medium security facility at Oxford, WI.
Dr. Thomas Kane, Acting Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
320 1st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534
Phone: (202) 307-3250 (Director); (202) 307-3198 (Switchboard)
Fax: (202) 514-6620
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Leonard Peltier In Transit
Leonard Peltier has been moved from USP-Lewisburg. At this time, he is at the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is an administrative and "holdover" facility. That means he will be held in Oklahoma temporarily -- although "temporarily" could mean months -- after which he will be transferred to another facility.
Please continue your efforts on Leonard's behalf. Keep calling the White House -- 202-456-1111. Obama must free Leonard Peltier.
Keep demandng a transfer for Leonard that is within 500 miles of his home. Tell the Federal Bureau of Prisons that the only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to his family and Nation.
Please send e-mails, write letters and call BOP every single day. Make reference to Leonard Peltier #89637-132 and contact:
Dr. Thomas Kane, Acting Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
320 1st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534
E-Mail: info@bop.gov
Phone: (202) 307-3250 (Director); (202) 307-3198 (Switchboard)
Fax: (202) 514-6620
Please continue your efforts on Leonard's behalf. Keep calling the White House -- 202-456-1111. Obama must free Leonard Peltier.
Keep demandng a transfer for Leonard that is within 500 miles of his home. Tell the Federal Bureau of Prisons that the only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to his family and Nation.
Please send e-mails, write letters and call BOP every single day. Make reference to Leonard Peltier #89637-132 and contact:
Dr. Thomas Kane, Acting Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
320 1st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534
E-Mail: info@bop.gov
Phone: (202) 307-3250 (Director); (202) 307-3198 (Switchboard)
Fax: (202) 514-6620
Rapid City: Supporters demand Leonard Peltier's release
http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2011/09/12/Supporters-demand-Peltier-s-release
Supporters demand Peltier's release
Monday, 12 September 2011
Al Van Zee
Supporters of long-time prison inmate Leonard Peltier gathered in Rapid City Monday to once again protest what they see as the wrongful incarceration of the American Indian Movement activist. This day was chosen for the demonstration because Leonard Peltier turns 67 years old. He has been in a federal penitentiary for 34 years, after being convicted in 1977 for the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His supporters believe Peltier is a political prisoner, and has been the victim of abuse at the federal facilities where he has been held. James Swan says, "It's time he is free. He's been sick. He's been harassed in prison. And it's time this all comes to an end. He's a political prisoner, everybody knows it. That's his purpose in prison. We want him to be free. And we will continue this until the day he's free." Peltier is currently serving two life terms. His conviction has been upheld by several courts of appeal. In 2009, Peltier was granted a full hearing before the U.S. Parole Commission, which denied his request for release.
See video at
http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2011/09/12/Supporters-demand-Peltier-s-release
Supporters demand Peltier's release
Monday, 12 September 2011
Al Van Zee
Supporters of long-time prison inmate Leonard Peltier gathered in Rapid City Monday to once again protest what they see as the wrongful incarceration of the American Indian Movement activist. This day was chosen for the demonstration because Leonard Peltier turns 67 years old. He has been in a federal penitentiary for 34 years, after being convicted in 1977 for the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His supporters believe Peltier is a political prisoner, and has been the victim of abuse at the federal facilities where he has been held. James Swan says, "It's time he is free. He's been sick. He's been harassed in prison. And it's time this all comes to an end. He's a political prisoner, everybody knows it. That's his purpose in prison. We want him to be free. And we will continue this until the day he's free." Peltier is currently serving two life terms. His conviction has been upheld by several courts of appeal. In 2009, Peltier was granted a full hearing before the U.S. Parole Commission, which denied his request for release.
See video at
http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2011/09/12/Supporters-demand-Peltier-s-release
Leonard Peltier Event in Eugene, OR on 15 Sep 2011
Join us for Leonard Peltier’s 67th Birthday Celebration
When: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at 6:00 pm
Where: UO Many Nations Longhouse (on Columbia St off E. 17th)
Eugene, OR
Enjoy potluck, birthday cake, update and letter writing information. Bring stamps and envelops if you have them.
See you there!
Contact LPDOC Chapter - Eugene, OR, USA at melodic_mind@yahoo.com.
When: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at 6:00 pm
Where: UO Many Nations Longhouse (on Columbia St off E. 17th)
Eugene, OR
Enjoy potluck, birthday cake, update and letter writing information. Bring stamps and envelops if you have them.
See you there!
Contact LPDOC Chapter - Eugene, OR, USA at melodic_mind@yahoo.com.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Leonard Peltier: In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
"A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky." - Chief Crazy Horse
Today's very succinct column is meant as a reminder to everyday Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people of a vision to which many of our Indigenous Native sisters and brothers have often made reference. It is also a vision embodied by the ongoing unjust incarceration of Indigenous Native rights activist and long time political prisoner Leonard Peltier.
This week Mr. Peltier became the recipient of the first Mario Benedetti international human rights prize. The aforementioned Mario Benedetti Foundation was established "to support human rights and cultural causes in synch with the work of the Uruguayan writer who died in 2009."
It is important for everyday people of all colors in this nation and throughout the world to take a moment to consider and salute our brother Leonard Peltier, and indeed all political prisoners wherever they are. Mr. Peltier is one of the longest serving political prisoners in this nation, and he has remained steadfast in his principles despite enormous and continuous adversity.
Like the great 1870s Indigenous Native warrior, philosopher, and chief - Crazy Horse, Mr. Peltier has demonstrated a vision which all people of goodwill must yet rekindle.
From Leonard Peltier to Mumia Abu-Jamal to Lynne Stewart and so very, very many others who have been and remain incarcerated in a sadistic and unjust U.S. prison gulag system; we must be clear that their imprisonment is our own imprisonment and their suffering is ours as well. Likewise their yearning for justice and spirit of resistance must also be ours even as we honor and struggle to save our Mother Earth. All political prisoners and prisoners of conscience must be freed!
In the spirit of Crazy Horse, we congratulate you brother Leonard on the attainment of the Mario Benedetti international human rights prize! All Power To The People!
Onward then my sisters and brothers! Onward!
BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In connection with his political organizing activities in opposition to voter suppression, etc., Pinkney was interviewed in 1988 on the nationally televised PBS News Hour, formerly known as The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn].
Leonard Peltier Walk for Human Rights: Tentative Route
The "Leonard Peltier
Walk for Human Rights" will depart from California (Alcatraz Island) on
December 18, 2011, and arrive in Washington, DC, on or around
Memorial Day 2012. View the tentative route
here.
For more information contact LPDOC Board members Dorothy Ninham at 920-713-8114 or Gina Buenrostro at 920-713-2205.
For more information contact LPDOC Board members Dorothy Ninham at 920-713-8114 or Gina Buenrostro at 920-713-2205.
Leonard Peltier Birthday Events
September 12 is Leonard Peltier's 67th birthday! Supporters worldwide are planning events to mark the day. Check out our master online calendar for an event near you. Events begin tomorrow, September 9, and go through the 12th of the month. You can check out other upcoming events, as well.
Are you hosting an event, but it doesn't appear on our calendar? Send details to contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info. We'll be happy to announce your event.
Are you hosting an event, but it doesn't appear on our calendar? Send details to contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info. We'll be happy to announce your event.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Leonard Peltier Art: Birthday Month Special
Purchase a reproduction of one of Leonard's paintings (any size) and receive FREE a 8" x 10" reproduction of "Wind Chases the Sun" (AKA "Broken Treaties") by Chad Brady (image below).
Visit www.LeonardPeltierArt.com for more information.
Offer ends September 30.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Leonard Peltier recipient of first Mario Benedetti Foundation human rights prize
MONTEVIDEO, Sept 5, 2011 (AFP) - Leonard Peltier, an indigenous rights activist jailed in the United States for decades, has received the first Mario Benedetti Foundation international human rights prize, the group said Monday.
The group called Peltier, a Native American activist convicted in 1977 for the murder of two US FBI agents, the longest serving political prisoner in the Americas. The case stemmed from a shootout at a reservation in the US state of South Dakota.
"Leonard Peltier, who on September 12, 2011 will turn 67, has spent more than half his life in prison. He is a symbol of resistance to repressive state policies by the United States, where there are people in jail for ethnic, racial, ideological and religious reasons," a foundation statement said.
Ricardo Elena, a member of the foundation's honorary board, said Peltier's case "is one that is repeated over and over: violation (of rights); persecution, eviction, invasion and expropriation of the indigenous people from the time it was 'discovered' until now.
"It did not just happen in the United States; it is happening in southern South America with the (indigenous) Mapuche people, and with indigenous people in North America," he stressed.
Peltier, whose family is indigenous Chippewa and Lakota, fled to Canada after the shooting and was later extradited. He was convicted in part based on the testimony of a woman, Myrtle Poor Bear, who claimed she was his girlfriend and witnessed the shootings. Poor Bear however admitted later she was pressured to make the testimony, but a judge blocked her testimony.
Elena took a swipe at the United States saying it "likes to think it is the seat of democracy, but it has political prisoners just like a dictatorship might have."
The Mario Benedetti Foundation was set up to support human rights and cultural causes in synch with the work of the Uruguayan writer who died in 2009.
aic/mdl/sg
The group called Peltier, a Native American activist convicted in 1977 for the murder of two US FBI agents, the longest serving political prisoner in the Americas. The case stemmed from a shootout at a reservation in the US state of South Dakota.
"Leonard Peltier, who on September 12, 2011 will turn 67, has spent more than half his life in prison. He is a symbol of resistance to repressive state policies by the United States, where there are people in jail for ethnic, racial, ideological and religious reasons," a foundation statement said.
Ricardo Elena, a member of the foundation's honorary board, said Peltier's case "is one that is repeated over and over: violation (of rights); persecution, eviction, invasion and expropriation of the indigenous people from the time it was 'discovered' until now.
"It did not just happen in the United States; it is happening in southern South America with the (indigenous) Mapuche people, and with indigenous people in North America," he stressed.
Peltier, whose family is indigenous Chippewa and Lakota, fled to Canada after the shooting and was later extradited. He was convicted in part based on the testimony of a woman, Myrtle Poor Bear, who claimed she was his girlfriend and witnessed the shootings. Poor Bear however admitted later she was pressured to make the testimony, but a judge blocked her testimony.
Elena took a swipe at the United States saying it "likes to think it is the seat of democracy, but it has political prisoners just like a dictatorship might have."
The Mario Benedetti Foundation was set up to support human rights and cultural causes in synch with the work of the Uruguayan writer who died in 2009.
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