Leonard Peltier, The Man
stewart...@netzero.com
Leonard Peltier -- a great-grandfather, artist, writer, & indigenous
rights activist -- is a citizen of the Anishinabe and Dakota/Lakota
Nations who has been unjustly imprisoned since 1976.
A participant in the American Indian Movement, he went to assist the
Oglala Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the mid-70s where
a tragic shoot-out occurred on June 26, 1975. Accused of the murder of
two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Peltier fled
to Canada believing he would never receive a fair trial in the United
States.
On February 6, 1976, Peltier was apprehended. The FBI knowingly
presented the Canadian court with fraudulent affidavits, and Peltier
was returned to the U.S. for trial.
Key witnesses were banned from testifying about FBI misconduct &
testimony about the conditions and atmosphere on the Pine Ridge
Reservation at the time of the shoot-out was severely restricted.
Important evidence, such as conflicting ballistics reports, was ruled
inadmissible. Still, the U.S. Prosecutor failed to produce a single
witness who could identify Peltier as the shooter. Instead, the
government tied a bullet casing found near the bodies of their agents
to the alleged murder weapon, arguing that this gun had been the only
one of its kind used during the shootout, and that it had belonged to
Peltier.
Later, Mr. Peltier's attorneys uncovered, in the FBI's own
documents, that more than one weapon of the type attributed to Peltier
had been present at the scene and the FBI had intentionally concealed a
ballistics report that showed the shell casing could not have come from
the alleged murder weapon. Other troubling information emerged: the
agents undoubtedly followed a red pickup truck onto the land where the
shoot-out took place, not the red and white van driven by Peltier; and
compelling evidence against several other suspects existed and was
concealed.
At the time, however, the jury was unaware of these facts. Peltier was
convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He is currently
imprisoned at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Leonard Peltier, Artist
Leonard Peltier's self-taught style is an outgrowth of drawing and
carving lessons he received as a child from tribal elders.
Leonard began working with pastels in 1983, proving he had talent to
put what he saw on paper. His spirit began to know a freedom he had
never before experienced.
Although limited by the prison environment, Mr. Peltier has emerged as
a master of Indigenous Art.
Leonard's artwork reflects his beliefs and commitment to Native
American culture. It is The People's struggle to survive and his
desire to portray their cultural beauty that inspires Peltier to paint.
In 1986, Leonard suffered a stroke and lost about eighty percent of his
sight in his left eye. "My eye problem has slowed me down considerably,
but I am still inspired."
Leonard's paintings are collected by such noted personalities as
Oliver Stone, Peter Coyote, Jane Fonda, Val Kilmer, Michael Apted, Shep
Gordon, and Oliver Shanti, as well as many other international
celebrities & luminaries.
Leonard, the Writer
Doing time creates a demented darkness of my own imagination; doing
time does this thing to you. But of course, you don't do time. You do
without it. Or rather, time does you. Time is a cannibal that devours
the flesh of your years day by day, bite by bite.
-- Leonard Peltier
Prison Writings:
My Life Is My Sun Dance
This book was written from behind the cold prison bars of Leavenworth
Penitentiary by Leonard Peltier, who has been called America's Nelson
Mandela. Peltier is serving two life sentences for crimes the U.S.
government has admitted they can't prove were even committed by
Peltier. He is considered by Amnesty International & many other
humanitarian organizations to be a political prisoner.
According to prison officials, Peltier's plight has attracted the
attention of luminaries such as Britain's Queen Elizabeth. In February
1999, the European Parliament approved a resolution calling for Peltier
to be freed. France's former First Lady Danielle Mitterand, who is
president of the French human rights organization, France Libertés,
has called for the release of Leonard Peltier.
The book's editor, Harvey Arden said, "Leonard Peltier's powerful
memoir, a Native American spiritual testament, will shake the
conscience of the nation... & the world. It's a flaming arrow aimed at
the circled wagons of American injustice."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu calls it: "A deeply moving & very disturbing
story of a gross miscarriage of justice & an eloquent cri de coeur of
Native Americans for redress & to be regarded as human beings with
inalienable rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution...
We pray that it does not fall on deaf ears. America owes it to
herself."
Leonard, the Nobel Peace Prize Candidate
Leonard Peltier Nominated for 2004 Nobel Peace Prize
Feb. 11, 2004
Last week we posted the call for support from Ward Dossche and Harvey
Arden about nominating Leonard for the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. The
deadline for the 2004 NPP nominations was February 1st. But even though
there was little time left, Ward Dossche reports that three people - a
university professor from Texas; another university professor from
Belgium; and Bart Staes, member of the European Parliament and IPF
signatory - sent in their nominations in time.
For more information, contact the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
(LPDC):
LPDC, Inc.
P.O. Box 583
Lawrence, Kansas 66044-0583 USA
www.leonardpeltier.org
Phone: 785-842-5774
Fax: 785-842-5796
Email: in...@leonardpeltier.org
Leonard's Human Rights Achievements
Advocate of peaceful resolution of all issues that deal with Native
Americans; always taking a non-violent approach and argued for respect
for rights of others.
Has helped several prisoners rehabilitate themselves by advocating drug
and alcohol free life styles while encouraging pride and knowledge in
their cultures and traditions.
Has been key in getting people from different tribes, with a history of
animosity, to come together in peace.
Has worked with Dr. Steward Selkin of New York (ear, nose, and throat
specialist) on efforts to restructure health delivery systems on
reservations. A pilot program on Rosebud was undertaken in order to
document needs and requirements for delivery and care. This is known as
the Leonard Peltier Health Care Reform Package, and the ultimate intent
is to fundamentally alter health care delivery on reservations
throughout the US. Substance abuse programs are an important part of
this program.
Has worked with professor Jeffery Timmons on a job creation/job
training program to stimulate reservation based economics and
investments in Native American business enterprises.
Also worked with Professor Timmons on a youth entrepreneur program for
reservation kids to teach them to learn how to establish and run their
own businesses.
In 1992 he established a scholarship at New York University for Native
American students seeking law degrees.
Instrumental in the establishment and funding of a Washington (state)
Native American newspaper by and for Native young people.
Has been the sponsoring father of two children in Childreach, one in El
Salvador, and the other in Guatemala.
Has worked to have prisoners' artwork displayed around the country
and the world in art galleries in hopes of starting art programs for
prisoners and increasing their self-confidence.
Has sponsored several clothing and toy drives for reservations.
Distributes to Head Start and halfway houses, as well as women's
centers.
Every year he has sponsored a Christmas gift drive for the children of
Pine Ridge, SD. Organized and emergency food drive for the people of
Pohlo, Mexico in response to the Acteal Massacre.
Serves on the board of the Rosenberg Fund for Children.
Donates his artwork to several human rights and social welfare
organizations in order to help them raise funds. This most recently
includes the ACLU, Trail of Hope (a Native American conference dealing
with drug and alcohol addiction), World Peace and Prayer Day, the First
Nation Student Association, and the Buffalo Trust Fund.
By donating his paintings to the Leonard Peltier Charitable Foundation,
he was able to supply computers and educational supplies such as books
and encyclopedias to libraries and families on Pine Ridge.
By donating his paintings to the LPCF, he was also able to raise
substantial supplies for the people of Pine Ridge after last year's
devastating tornado hit and caused a multitude of damage on the
reservation.
He has been widely recognized for his efforts and has won several human
rights awards, including the North Star Frederick Douglas Award,
Humanist of the Year Award, and the International Human Rights Prize.
Leonard, Presidential Candidate
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Info: (785) 842-5774/ (785) 842-5796 (fax)
Political Prisoner on the Ballot in California
Lawrence, Kansas, February 11, 2004
Kevin Shelley, Secretary of the State of California has announced that
Leonard Peltier will be on the primary election ballot as a candidate
for the Peace and Freedom Party's Presidential nomination.
Leonard Peltier is deemed as a political prisoner by Amnesty
International and has been unjustly incarcerated for nearly 3 decades.
Peltier was convicted of committing the crime of murdering two FBI
agents, even though the prosecution has since admitted in open court
(Oct. 15, 1985) that the government did not have proof of who killed
their agents. The courts have also admitted (10th Circuit Court of
Appeals) that "the prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned; they
withheld evidence, coerced testimony. These facts are undisputed".
Leonard Peltier is an advocate of peaceful resolution of all issues and
has been instrumental in getting people from different tribes with a
history of animosity to come together in peace. He has piloted the
Leonard Peltier Health Care Reform Package whose intent is to
fundamentally alter health care delivery on reservations throughout the
US. Peltier has established a scholarship at NYU for Native Students
seeking law degrees, has implemented job creation/job training programs
and is the sponsoring father of two children in ChildReach. Peltier has
sponsored clothing, emergency food and toy drives and distributes to
Head Start, halfway houses and women's centers. Peltier serves on the
board of the Rosenberg Fund for Children and donates his artwork to
several human rights and social welfare organizations, including the
Leonard Peltier Charitable Foundation. He has been widely recognized
for his efforts and has won several human rights awards, including the
North Star- Frederick Douglas Award; Humanist of the Year Award and
most recently, is a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. View Leonard's
candidate statement at www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov/cand/pres_pf.html
Mr. Peltier's choice as Vice-President is Barry Bachrach, lead counsel
for Peltier. Mr. Bachrach is a Litigation Partner with extensive
experience in managing and handling a wide variety of litigation. He
graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maine, School of Law,
has authored several legal publications and is currently co-authoring a
book about the Massachusetts Constitution. Bachrach has bar admissions
in the states of Maine, Massachusetts and Minnesota and in the United
Claims Court, Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States
Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit.
Mr. Bachrach has been with the Defense Committee for 3 years and
believes that Leonard's campaign will offer hope to the oppressed,
bringing back the principles that this country was founded upon,
regaining the soul that this country has lost. Bachrach believes that
Native Americans are the foundation of this country, spiritual people
who cherish the earth, not strive to own it. For more information about
the campaign: bbac...@bowditch.com.
In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse
http://www.leonardpeltier.org/leonard.html
Nixon is spinning in his grave wondering what Bush has to do to be
impeached.
"Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is a merge of
State and Corporate power." ---Benito Mussolini, the father of modern
fascism.