Friend,
I have helped to collect evidence in the defense of hundreds of Native people who were indicted with criminal charges and political imprisonment for standing up for sovereignty during the occupation at Wounded Knee 50 years ago.
The FBI continued harassing members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and people on that reservation even after the occupation. When a massive shootout in 1975 ended with a young Native man and two FBI agents dead, the FBI arrested AIM activist Leonard Peltier.
Leonard Peltier continues to maintain his innocence to this day, and there’s a LOT of evidence to back him up.
The FBI coerced witnesses to get false statements -- all of which were later recanted. The FBI also withheld key evidence showing that the bullets that killed the FBI officers did not come from Peltier’s gun.
Despite this, Leonard Peltier is still serving time in a maximum security prison 48 years later. At 79 years old, he is the longest-serving political prisoner in the US. Together with a broad coalition of organizations representing millions of people across the country, we’re asking you to join the fight for Leonard’s freedom.
FBI misconduct and constitutional violations have stolen 48 years from Peltier’s life.
A former FBI agent familiar with his case has written to President Biden asking to release Peltier. And the former federal prosecutor who oversaw Peltier’s post-trial sentencing and appeals also wrote to Biden asking for clemency, saying :
“I have realized that the prosecution and continued incarceration of Mr. Peltier was and is unjust. We were not able to prove that Mr. Peltier personally committed any offense on the Pine Ridge Reservation.”
During the trial, one of the jurors even admitted to prejudice against Peltier for being Native.
The only way Leonard Peltier can get his freedom restored is through public pressure on President Biden. That’s why it’s critically important the White House gets your message today. Please sign and send your direct message now and demand the release of Native activist Leonard Pelter so he can live out the rest of his life with dignity.
The demand is urgent : 79-year-old Peltier suffers from many health issues including diabetes and kidney disease, and his condition worsened after he got COVID in prison.
He deserves to be reunited with his family and to hug his grand-children while he still can.
Hawwih (thank you) for taking action today,
Judith LeBlanc (Caddo)
Executive Director.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire