Freedom for Leonard Peltier

Amidst all of the commotion caused by the presidential election, it is easy to overlook President Clinton's last actions as president; however, right now is an extremely crucial time in Leonard Peltier's freedom campaign, because Clinton now has the opportunity to grant Executive Clemency to Peltier without much political risk. Peltier, an Indigenous rights activist and a Human Rights Defender (declared by the United Nations), has created much controversy for the past twenty-four years in which he has been imprisoned. He is sentenced to two consecutive life sentences as the result of an incident that occurred on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1975, ending in the death of two FBI agents and a Native American man.

Due to information found after Peltier's initial trial that raises or contradicts nearly every point of "evidence" in the case against him, millions of people worldwide have become advocates for his freedom. Amnesty International considers Peltier a political prisoner who "should be immediately and unconditionally released." In an article in The Boston Globe on November 17, 2000, Reuters revealed that Amnesty International also declared "...Peltier's case was riddled with prosecutorial misconduct, perjury, fabrication of evidence, and suppression of exculpatory evidence." Timing is especially crucial because Peltier's health is declining and the "inadequate diet, living conditions, and health care" in prison serve to further compound his problems. To learn more about the details of the case and about Leonard Peltier, come to FL 320 this Thursday, December 7 at 7pm for a viewing of "Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story." MAO and Justice will also be providing information and refreshments. If you cannot attend, you can also get information by visiting www.freepeltier.org, or e-mailing pamg@wpi.edu.

There is a lot that you can do to show your support for Peltier's freedom. Call the Whitehouse Comment Line (800-663-9566 or 202-456-1111) and urge Clinton to free Peltier. Also, contact your senators, governor, and congresspersons. For Massachusetts's residents, John Kerry at (617) 565-8519 and Edward Kennedy at (617) 565-3170 need to hear your support. This Sunday, December 10, Human Rights Day, the Leonard Peltier Walk for Freedom is taking place in New York City. The walk begins in Union Square at noon and will proceed to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, where a program of speakers, cultural activities, and traditional music will be presented from 2-4pm. The opportunity for you to take part in correcting what Archbishop Desmund Tutu in 1999 called a "...blot on the judicial system of this country," still exists!