Free Leonard Peltier
Mariah Kaze
http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/
I have been interested in this case for a number of years because the
FBI railroaded this guy to prison and have actively demonstrated at
the White House to keep the truth of their abuse of power from coming
to light. Peter Matthiessen, a Buddhist writer has also been
persecuted for his exposure of their tactics against the American
Indian Movement. Many people have died as a result of this
McCarthyistic suppression of a legitimate resistance to genocide.
The FBI sued Matthiessen to keep his book from being published. Their
lawsuit failed but Matthiessen's victory has, so far, failed to
overturn Peltier's conviction because the FBI has subsequently refused
to turn over crucial documents to the defense teams under the Freedom
of Information Act, citing "National Security" issues. Well, the
National Security issue is that they've been dumping uranium waste on
the Reservations for forty years! They've called it a National
Sacrifice Area (see Russell Means).
Having read the case in several forms, I am convinced that Peltier is
innocent and that the FBI wants him in prison only to cover up their
botched raid on Oglala soil, done in an attempt to suppress the
Movement. Two FBI agents died in that ill-planned and poorly executed
raid. The FBI and not the Indians are to blame for their loss. Shots
were fired into Indian homes containing women and children and the
agents were killed by return fire - two other participants were
acquitted on grounds of self-defense but evidence was manufactured to
convict Peltier to thwart his leadership in AIM.
Ruby Ridge and Waco followed. Is this how we want the United States
to deal with dissidents? Can we have no legitimate dissent without
allowing it to escalate to abuse? Gerry Spence eloquently defended
Randy Weaver over Ruby Ridge but even Amnesty International has been
unable to dislodge the stubborn resistance of the FBI to exposure over
Oglala.
Only a massive public outcry can keep this miscarriage of justice from
continuing. We must send a loud and clear message that peaceful
dissent is allowed against a corrupt government office!
Please go and sign the petitions (pay $2.00 for processing) so that an
injustice can be righted and an innocent man set free.
MK<I believe that if they can succeed in doing this to him, they can
do it to you and me too>