Call for Barak Obama to free Leonard Peltier --35 years over due.

[Christy Walsh]

Leonard Peltier has been in prison for around 35 years and was convicted under politically questionable circumstances --it is time Barak Obama ordered his release. Below is an extract from Leonard's supporters website where there is a lot more information and suggestions on ways that you could help.

Leonard Peltier

An innocent man, Leonard Peltier was wrongfully convicted in 1977 and has served over 30 years in federal prison despite proof of his innocence—also despite proof that he was convicted on the basis of fabricated and suppressed evidence, as well as coerced testimony.

The United States Courts of Appeal have repeatedly acknowledged investigative and prosecutorial misconduct in this case but, by their decisions, have refused to take corrective action. A model prisoner, Leonard Peltier also has been denied fair consideration for parole and Executive Clemency. This is clearly an abuse of the legal standards of American justice.

The World

Recognizing that Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned for decades for a crime he did not commit, various governments and dignitaries from around the world have called for Leonard Peltier's release.

On June 23, 1995, Amnesty International (AI) submitted a letter of concern about the Peltier case to the U.S. Attorney General. With no executive review of the case forthcoming, in 1999, AI called for Leonard Peltier's release. Before the U.S. Congress, in 2000, AI issued this statement:

"Amnesty International considers Leonard Peltier to be a political prisoner... Amnesty International believes that Leonard Peltier should be immediately and unconditionally released."

In briefings to the United Nations since 1992, AI has actively pursued Leonard Peltier's freedom. AI submitted a briefing to the U.N. Human Rights Committee in February 2006 (updated in early July 2006), in which AI again called for Leonard Peltier's release.

After the U.S. Parole Commission denied Peltier parole in August 2009, senior deputy director of Amnesty International-USA, Curt Goering, stated:

“Given that the case against Peltier unraveled years ago, his continued imprisonment is only protracting a grave miscarriage of justice... When you consider the concerns that plague the case... it is unconscionable that Leonard Peltier should continue to suffer behind bars. It is high time for the U.S. government to... right the wrongs of the past.”

And You

"You are the message," Leonard Peltier says. And each of us is an "Army of One." This concept, as it touches one's conscience, effectively motivates persons to act as individuals on Leonard Peltier's behalf. Now, however, a legion is required. Maybe two. We must be "Leonard's Legions," hundreds of thousands of supporters in solidarity worldwide. We must unite in purpose, speak with one voice: Free Leonard Peltier NOW!

Visit us often to learn more about efforts to win Leonard's freedom and find out what you can do to help.

http://www.freepeltiernow.org/welcome.htm

[Newsy]

Have been following this case for a few years.

It truly is a disgrace, that this man hasn't been released. Clinton should have done the honourable thing. Bush wouldn't.

I wrote to Obama when he was elected, asking him to take a second look at this man's case.

[C. Flower]

I've followed it too. Peltier was a victim of the FBI who set up a good number of activists and secured the deaths of many.

Obama's own career is such that I have no reason to believe he would disapprove of the FBI's activities.

I wish he could be got out.

[Liberty]

Pine Ridge was similar to Ruby Ridge and Waco - The US government waging war against their own citizens. And now the have the FEMA camps.....

[TotalMayhem]

And don't forget the guillotines in Ft. Lewis.

[Socialist Republican]

One of the most blatant miscarraiges of justice ever. "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" is a great book on the subject. "Incident at Oglala" is a good documentary on it also

[C. Flower]

There was a whole era of destruction of working class / left leadership by the FBI in this way - the assassination of the Black Panthers being another case. A bit of a read-up on the FBI Cointelpro programme was enlightening.

[tomasocarthaigh]

All the while that Nelson Mandela was in jail, all the while Terry Waite was kidnapped, long before the break up of the Soviet Union, a man was jailed in America for activism for native American rights.

His name was Leonard Peltier.

His name is Leonard Peltier - and hes still in jail today.

A shoot out at a reservation protected by the A.I.M. led to the deaths of one Lakota and two FBI officers, and Peltier was jailed without proof his bullet killed either man, and without the concept of provocation being taken into account.

All applications for parole have been denied since 1976, and when the USA ecouraged the UK, South Africa and Israel to release combatants, they still hold their own.

Not many know of this, and the aim is to change that.

Wikipedia Article

Peltier Defense Committee

Spirit of Peltier (My poetic tribute on YouTube)

Spirit of Peltier Anthology

[C. Flower]

A fine article on the predicament of Leonard Peltier.

He is old, sick and innocent and really needs to be released.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/peter-w...?utm_hp_ref=tw

But there is no reason to think that Obama would be sympathetic.

[Count Bobulescu]

A fine article on the predicament of Leonard Peltier.

He is old, sick and innocent and really needs to be released.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/peter-w...?utm_hp_ref=tw

But there is no reason to think that Obama would be sympathetic.

Executive clemency is typically offered at year’s end, or in the last few days of office. There is an attorney in the Justice Dept. assigned to make pardon and clemency recommendations, or not. It's pointless writing to any President, on the subject of presidential pardons, unless of course you are a big Clinton donor like Mark Rich. But even that still has to go thru the channels.

[Count Bobulescu]

A WaPo editorial on Obama’s use of the pardon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...6jP_story.html

A Pro Publica piece on the role of the pardon attorney’s office. Even when the prosecutor and judge recommend a pardon the Justice Dept. may think differently.

http://www.propublica.org/article/pa...idential-mercy