En Vogue with Leonard Peltier

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: En Vogue with Leonard Peltier
Date: Sun,  5 Oct 2008 21:28:07 -0700 (PDT)


En Vogue with Leonard Peltier

The cause of Leonard Peltier will always be en vogue if that means to right a wrong and a man wrongfully held in prison for thirty something years should be released - then everyone should know about it and be en vogue.

The case of Leonard Peltier is one that has been ongoing for Indigenous people from the time of "discovery" to the present day. This is not an isolated case, which many people who support political prisoners' rights know all too well. Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned for over 32 years and while there has been some who have let his plight fall to the wayside, for many of us he has never been forgotten. Leonard has remained in the hearts of many people who have continued to keep the faith that one day he will be free.

However this is not the case all too often, many people all too often view the case of Leonard Peltier as an Indian problem or Indian concern. It should be a concern for all Americans, because if his case stands as precedence then the freedom of everyone is in jeopardy. Because of the length of time that Leonard Peltier has been in prison, many people due to their age, especially the youth, do not know who Leonard Peltier is to us. Anyone 30 years or younger has likely yet to be educated on the case of Leonard Peltier. Any adults alive during the time Leonard Peltier was sentenced to prison may have died or perhaps are living as elders that don't have the youth, means or health, to say much or do much about it anymore.

That is why at this time we are reasserting the need for Freedom for Leonard and reeducating the public about the injustice that has gone on for over 32 years. You can help Leonard Peltier get justice and freedom by:

a)      Signing the online petition at  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/;

b)      Writing letters on behalf of Leonard Peltier's freedom through parole, clemency or pardon. Write to your Congressmen, your Legislators, the President, the US Parole Board and Human Rights Organizations; 

c)      Starting a support group as an official branch of the LP DOC in your state or local area;

d)      Taking the resolution found at www.whoisleonardpeltier.com to your tribal elected officials and ask them to pass it unanimously; if you are not a tribal member anyone can get their organization to pass the resolution in support of Leonard Peltier's freedom and send it to the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee where it will be presented to the appropriate agencies;

e)      Donating to the Leonard Peltier gift and clothes drive for Pine Ridge Reservation;

f)      Leonard himself has said that he appreciates the donations to his commissary account, but he would rather people donate directly to the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LP DOC) because it goes directly toward gaining his freedom. The LP DOC is in direct contact with Leonard Peltier daily and works closely with his legal team to gain his release. Please consider donating to the LP DOC in the effort toward gaining Leonard's freedom today.

Leonard Peltier is a focal point for combating the injustice of the government who has targeted people, especially Native American people, who are dissenters with the US Policies toward native peoples. All too often people equate dissention with being unpatriotic, however, that could not be further from the truth. The only difference between dissenters who are championing our rights under the Constitution and the treaty rights that are being trampled on is that they don't have uniforms or have the government sanctions of the bureaucrats. But they definitely are sanctioned under the articles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And though they are unfunded except for their own dedication and passion, they are as patriotic as any soldier whoever fought for freedom for this country.


Thank you for all who are working to bring Leonard Peltier's case to the forefront of people's thoughts daily and unfailingly. We are altogether grateful for everyone who is contributing their time, efforts and money toward the cause.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse

____

Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LP DOC):
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

e-mail:
contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

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Details about Leonard Peltier’s 2008 Annual Gift Drive

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive 2008
Date: Fri,  3 Oct 2008 09:48:03 -0700 (PDT)


Leonard Peltier is once again organizing a holiday gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Pine Ridge is one of the most impoverished areas in the United States, and this is one way Peltier continues his humanitarian work for his people despite his 32-year incarceration. Help him reach out beyond the bars that imprison him. The gift drive helps not only the children and families, but also Leonard himself, keeping his spirit strong through the difficult holiday season.

Mail all gifts to:
        Rosyln Jumping Bull
        BOX 207
        Oglala, SD  57764


The Gift Drive will serve ages newborn to 18 years.


Ideas for Christmas Gifts per Age Range:

Infant/Toddler
Puzzles, Board Books, Building Blocks, Stuffed Animals, Blankets, Trucks, Musical Instruments for Toddler, Riding Toys, Push Toys, Baby Dolls (All Ethnicities) or Stuffed Animals, Clothes

Children Ages 3-6
Baby Dolls, Dolls or Barbies (All Ethnicities), Puzzles, Books, Developmental Board Games (Counting Games), Arts and Crafts Sets, Race Tracks, Legos, Dress Up Clothes, Children'ss Videos, Bikes, Clothes

Children Ages 7-12
Board Games, Books, Purses and Wallets, Art Sets, Boom Boxes, Sports Equipment, Barbie Dolls (All Ethnicities) , Arts and Crafts Sets, Journals, Model Car Kits, Clothes, Bikes, Jewelry, Clothes

Teens Ages 13-18
Books, Journals, Bath and Body Gifts, Make Up Sets, Sports Equipment, Purses and Wallets, Jewelry and Watches, Art Supply Kits, Gift Certificates to Wal-Mart or Target, DVD's or Videos, Clothes


Mail all gifts to:
        Rosyln Jumping Bull
        BOX 207
        Oglala, SD  57764

* * * * *

For more information, please contact the LP-DOC at contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

or visit the website at  www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

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Message from Leonard Peltier about the Annual Gift Drive

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive
Date: Thu,  2 Oct 2008 23:20:03 -0700 (PDT)

 
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
October 3, 2008

* * * *

Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive

Hello my friends and relatives,

As you well know the season of giving is approaching us. As I was sitting here in this cell, thinking about these toy drives we have sponsored and advocated in the past years, I can't help but remember when I was a kid. Christmas was always a difficult time for me, difficult in several ways because as a child you always had expectations about presents and what you wanted, and invariably there were always disappointments and also there was a mixture of guilt in there, because I always wanted to give something more than I had. And from a child's point of view it doesn't matter so much what a person's belief system is. Christmas is just Christmas. And for a child who doesn't get anything, one of the most difficult things about it is, when you go back to school after the holidays and many of the kids are wearing new clothes and shoes and coats. And they ask you what you got for Christmas. That is when I think for me, I was bothered the most. Because it reminded me of my disappointments and it was embarrassing to say whatever it was because if there was anything at all, it was nothing like they had received. As I grew older, I always did my best to try to see that my children and any children around me did not have to have those feelings.

I know as it stands now, Christmas has become overly commercialized. And the true meaning of Christmas often times is hidden by that commercialization. But that doesn't change the feelings of that one child or those many children who receive nothing or next to nothing. That is why every year, I try to sponsor a Christmas gift drive for children on the reservation. I know that there are other areas that are not on the reservation where children experience the same disappointments. I know I can't touch them all but I do know if you can help me do this, we can touch the ones that I have connection with and many of the ones who are not noticed and fall through the cracks of Christmas programs.

I remember President Bush saying in his talk about education no child left behind, and that is pretty much how I feel about many of these children on the reservation, because of the poverty and remoteness of location. They are the children at Christmas time that are left behind.

I remember one Christmas and it's kind of amusing looking back, I asked my mother how come we never got bicycles and her reply was "Santa took them to the poor kids". Though today I find it amusing, I can't help but love and appreciate her and identify with the pain she must have felt in not being able to provide for us in the ways that she wanted.

My heart aches when I think of the yoke and sorrow many of the mothers must feel who are a single parent provider. Not just on reservations but throughout America. It brings to mind an old saying; I don't know who said it but it is well known, and it is very well true: "a grown up never stands as tall as when they stoop to help a child".

With that in mind I want to ask all of you, to help all of us. Make a difference. Our Native American culture is a giving culture. Traditionally on your birthday your friends and relatives had a birthday party for you and gave gifts in your name. It's my understanding that that is what Christmas is supposed to be about. I greatly appreciate the teachings of Jesus when he said it's better to give than to receive. And as you do the least of these (to children) so shall you do to me.

I hope I am not sounding too overly dramatic but holidays especially Christmas and for some even thanksgiving are always difficult for prisoners. And our emotions often times are intensified by our inability to be directly involved with our families. I also want to say that the needs of children are year round. And I think that sometimes people forget that. Anyway, I want to ask all of you to search your hearts and give in whatever way you can to help all of us make a difference. For all those children and maybe in some small way all of us together can make a better world.

May the Great Spirit Father of us all, bless you in whatever way you need and bless you many times over for your gifts you share.

Yours always and always

In the spirit of Crazy Horse, and all those who gave their lives to right what was wrong,
Mitakye Oyasin (all my relations)

Leonard Peltier


* * * *

Leonard thanks everyone for the generous birthday cards and birthday gifts

Leonard has recieved so many birthday cards. Some made them laugh and some made them hopeful and some also made him sad to have lost another year in prison. He hopes to be able to celebrate his 65th Birthday with friends and family. Lewisburg Prison has been returning mail that has more than one card in the envelope. So please only send one card at a time. We have to remember Leonard does not get the simplest luxuries that we are accustomed to. Thank you for caring and thank you for sending him birthday wishes once again.


* * * *

"GRAYWOLF UN-CENSORED"

Guest David Hill!
UPCOMING SHOW: 10/8/2008 9:00 PM

Welcome to "GRAYWOLF UN-CENSORED" . It is time to speak the truth of what is going on. If we are to succeed in our struggle for a better life for our people, we must learn to work together for the good of all and not just for the benefit of a few! Hopefully we can learn and come together before it is too late for our people --- and hopefully it is not to late now!
www.blogtalkradio.com/graywolfuncensored


* * * *

Pine Ridge Reservation

Harvard School of Public Health reports that the life expectancy of Lakota People living on Pine Ridge Reservation to be the lowest in the United States, and only in Haiti is the life expectancy lower than the Lakota of Pine Ridge in the entire Western Hemisphere.

• The average life expectancy of a man on Pine Ridge is 61, 16 and 1/2 years lower than the national average.
• At 70 years of age the life expectancy of a Lakota woman on Pine Ridge is 13 and 1/2 years less than the national average.
• Unemployment on Pine Ridge Reservation ranges between 80% and 95% of the population of about 22,000 people.
• The average household occupancy on Pine Ridge is 17 people.
• There are over 900 families on waiting lists for housing.
• Many of those fortunate enough to have a house live in sub-standard structures.
• Thirty-three percent of homes do not have electricity or running water.
• Twenty-two percent of all homes are in need of major repairs or need to be replaced.
• Seventy percent of Lakota people living on Pine Ridge Reservation do not have access to transportation.
• Nationally, telephone service reaches 98% of the populace.
• On reservations phone service only reaches between 46% and 55% of Native people.
• On the Pine Ridge Reservation more than 70% of the homes are without phone service.

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Leonard Peltier "on the catwalk" in Paris, France - 9/29/08

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Oglala Commemoration Sept. Newsletter

Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:22:47 -0400
Subject: Sept Newsletter
From: oglala_comm@yahoo.com


www.oglalacommemoration.com

Oglala Commemoration Committee
Sept. 2008 Newsletter



Hello Everyone,
Just a few minutes of your time to catch up ..s.

The Oglala Commemoration Online Auction will be reopening around the first of Nov. Right in time for the holidays.
So be sure to take a look at the beautiful items we will have listed,
We are still seeking donations for this auction, remembering is raises about 90% of the funds to pull this event and its projects together.

www.geocities.com/oglala_comm/auction.html

We are also looking for a person, group, business to sponsor the purchase of a Pendleton Blanket that we use to raffle off at the pow-wows. I finally found the Pendleton Outlet Store on our way home from Pine Ridge this year, so the blankets were purchased on credit, the cost of $130 each and we purchased 2 .

So if you are interested in sponsoring one drop me an email
Oglala_commemoration@yahoo.com



Sept 27, 2008
4th Annual Educating for Change Curriculum Fair
"Defining Democracy"
Saturday, September 27th from 9 am to 3 pm
University of Missouri-St.
Louis, South Campus
Marillac Hall
8001 Natural Bridge Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63121 (next to South Campus Metro Station)

I will be on hand with a crew not only to present the Oglala Commemoration table,
but we will also be hosting a "Vote For Change" voter registration table and our crew will be canvasing the campus . If you are in the area please stop in.

The deadline to register is Oct. 8.

You may also go to www.voteforchange.com

Over forty table displays from educators and activists in St. Louis including lesson plans, books, videos, resources, curricular guides and inspirational ideas for teaching and organizing for justice.

Hands on and interactive workshop sessions with educators and activists on themes such as: organizing for democratic action, understanding institutionalized poverty, creating culturally differentiated classrooms, resisting neo-liberalism & more.

Featured Speakers:

• DR. KEVIN KUMASHIRO, Director of the Center for Anti-Oppressive Education will present a talk called "The Seduction of Common Sense: How the Right has Framed the Debate on America's Schools." Kumashiro's work focuses on developing resources for members of educational communities interested in creating and engaging in anti-oppressive forms of education.
• BILL FLETCHER JR., author of Solidarity Divided: the Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path toward Social Justice (University of California Press, 2008) will conduct a workshop on organizing for democratic action. He will also give a closing address called "Organizing for Democratic Education: A New Path toward Social Justice."
• ANNA BALTZER activist and author of Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman i n the Occupied Territories (Paradigm Publishers, 2007), will conduct a workshop and share critical information that can be difficult to obtain through mainstream Western media sources and encourages dialogue towards taking action on the issue.

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September LPDOC Radio Interviews

IPF Note: the upcoming Graywolf Uncensored radio show is on September 24th and not on the 25th as we announced it earlier (well, rather it is on the 25th at 4:00 in the morning for the Brussels/Paris/Amsterdam time zone  )



From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: LPDOC Radio Interviews
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:58:03 -0700 (PDT)


WPFW Live Radio
Date: September 24, 2008 7:00p-8:00p Eastern Standard Time

Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, Coordinator for LPDOC will be be the guest on Pacifica Radio airing Wednesday September 24, 2008 from 7-8pm at WPFW 89.3FM 
www.wpfw.org/index.php?db=content/WPFW_Radio&tbl=WPFW_Radio&id=1


GRAYWOLF RADIO SHOW
Date: 24 Sept. 2008

We are excited to announce that our guest for the Graywolf Un-Censored show is: David Hill (Choctaw from Oklahoma)
David has been a personal friend of Leonard Peltier's since before the Oglala shootout and has maintained that relationship throughout the years up to the present day. He is currently working as an Executive Advisor for the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee and one of the founders of the Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Traditions (S.P.I.R.I.T.)
To learn more about The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee go to: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/
MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/oklaspirit
MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/ndlpsg2007

Call-in Number: (347) 996-3652

UPCOMING SHOW: 9/24/2008 - Wednesday
At: www.blogtalkradio.com/

Show time: 
7:00PM Pacific
8:00PM Mountain
9:00PM Central
10:00PM Eastern
Host Name Graywolf
Show Name Graywolf Un-Censored
Show Length 1 ½ Hours

To listen to past shows go to: www.blogtalkradio.com/Graywolfuncensored


PEACE TALKS
Date: Saturday September 27th, 2008 10:00am-11:00am
96.3 KNDS Radio Station
www.kndsradio.com/listen/

Guests will include Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, Kari Ann Cowan & Jeff Armstrong from the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee. 
Call in Number 701.231.6703

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Leonard Peltier not forgotten during London Fashion Week

Leonard Peltier not forgotten during London Fashion Week

Vivienne Westwood's Red Label show at London Fashion Week (Sept. 18th) was a huge event and it took place at Earls Court's Brompton Hall. It must have had a capacity for over a thousand people, so of course it was a star studded crowd with Pamela Anderson, Kate Moss, Erin O'Conner, Dita Von Teese, Emma Watson, Tilda Swinton, Mischa Barton, Roisin Murphy, and Jamie Winstone just to name a few...

The collection was everything you'd expect from fringing, sequins, bright colours, PVC and the most stunning hats. For those interested in fashion, you can see all the looks on Vogue at www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/full-length-photos/id,6642/Page,1

Of course, with Dame Vivienne Westwood, the shows are not just abouth clothes and styles. The message is just as important as the clothes. The public, press, and journalists were given Vivienne's Active Resistance to Propaganda - Manifesto. On the credit list people were once again reminded that "Leonard Peltier has been in prison for 32 years for a crime he did not commit..."

Several of the celebrities who attended last week's show, have already answered the call Vivienne and I have sent out: please sign a letter of support and endorse the "Leonard Peltier is innocent" petition:

Pamela Anderson - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip188.htm

Kate Moss - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip316.htm

Erin O'Connor - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip508.htm

Dita Von Teese - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip370.htm

Tilda Swinton - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip392-3.htm

Roisin Murphy - http://users.skynet.be/kola/vip506.htm

5:24 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Graywolf Uncensored Radio show: Sept. 25th, 2008

www.blogtalkradio.com/Graywolfuncensored/2008/09/25/To-be-announced


UPCOMING SHOW: 25/09/2008 4:00

Call-in Number:  (347) 996-3652

Host Name: Graywolf Un-Censored
Show Name: Graywolf Uncensored
Guest: David Hill
Show Length: 1 Hour 30 Minutes


We are excited to announce that our guest for the Graywolf Un-Censored show is:

David Hill (Choctaw from Oklahoma)

David has been a personal friend of Leonard Peltier's since before the Oglala shootout and has maintained that relationship throughout the years up to the present day. He is currently working as an Executive Advisor for the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee and one of the founders of the Society to Preserve Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Traditions (S.P.I.R.I.T.).


MySpace URL:
www.myspace.com/oklaspirit
www.myspace.com/ndlpsg2007 

Free Leonard Peltier Now! Join the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee mailing list by visiting: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

5:22 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Message from Leonard Peltier - Sept. 12th, 2008

From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Happy Birthday Leonard!
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:42:10 -0700 (PDT)


September 12, 2008

Greetings,

First of all I want to thank everyone here, it means a lot to me to be remembered on my birthday. But you know one thing that comes to my mind is my mother, she has died since I have been in prison, along with my father and many of my other relatives. But aside from that, I want to get back to talking about my mother.

In my time of thinking in here, it just comes to my mind, that we should all on our birthdays remember our mothers. In fact in my thinking, we should all consider our birthday a mother's day. Because she is the one who went through a lot of pain and suffering on that day, she's the one that needs to be remembered most. And if my life has ever meant anything to anyone in a good way it is owed to her. She birthed me and because of her, today my words can be heard.

I have spent more than half of my life imprisoned, for something I am not guilty of, as of today the shooter wants everyone to know his identity. And I want you to know that I'm not being held for the deaths of those agents, I'm being held as an example to anyone that would stand up to them. In the coming months there is going to be legal efforts to bring this case into full view of the entire public so that possibly justice can prevail.

I guess I'm getting away from the essence of birthdays. I am 64 years old today and when you get to be my age the only good thing about birthdays is the more you have the longer you live.

Again I want to thank all of you so very very much. You can't imagine how much it means to a prisoner to be remembered. If I ever get out of here in an upright position I will owe it to people like you who remembered me and remembered the reasons I was put here and accepted the challenge to seek justice for our people.

May the Great Spirit bless you with everything you need. Again I want to thank you.

Your Relative in the Struggle
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier

3:57 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Leonard Peltier: Open letter to Barack Obama

www.counterpunch.org/peltier08282008.html


August 28, 2008

An Open Letter to Barack Obama
Symbolism Alone Will Not Bring Change

1:30 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

YOUR (online) birthday card for Leonard Peltier !!!

4:11 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Online Birthday Card for Leonard Peltier !!!

=+=+= INTERNATIONAL PELTIER FORUM =+=+=
August 25th 2008:
11889 days of WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT !!!
=+=+=+=+=+=

ONLINE PETITION FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY
http://users.skynet.be/kola/lppet.htm

=+=+=+=+=+=

September 12th, 2008

 

Happy Birthday Leonard!

Once again, we have created an online birthday card for Leonard Peltier. This online card will be printed out on September 2nd, 2008 and will be sent to Leonard.

To add your wishes to this birthday card, please send a text message, or a photograph, or a nice graphic to:

peltier-bd2008@skynet.be

Yes indeed, this year you can send in pictures!!!
Suggestions: a photograph of yourself wearing a Free Peltier t-shirt, carrying a banner, holding a photograph of Leonard, holding a birthday cake, participating at a (past) Peltier event...
But sending in a photograph or picture is not necessary. A plain text message is okay. And if you can't find the words... a simple "Happy Birthday" with your name is just fine too!

When sending in your birthday wish, please do not forget to add your name, your city and state or country! Leonard likes to see that his supporters and friends live all across the globe.
Needless to say: we will not post anonymous messages.

Please note that your messages and pictures will not be posted automatically. We add them "manually" after filtering out the nasty or crazy messages. Sadly enough, there are always idiots out there who send those irritating messages.
Once your B.D. wish is posted, you will receive a confirming message. New additions will appear at the bottom of the list.

In the past years, hundreds of supporters worldwide signed the online birthday card. Let's do it again, folks and make this a GIANT surprise card for Leonard.

Okay, we're ready for your B.D. messages...


Warm regards to all,

Els & Vivienne

=+=+=+=+=+=

IPF WEBSITE:
http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm
and
www.myspace.com/leonardpeltierisinnocent

IPF e-mail:
ipforum@skynet.be

Also, please visit the website of the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LPDOC):
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

LPDOC e-mail:
contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

=+=+= LEONARD PELTIER IS INNOCENT ! =+=+=

9:41 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Support the LP-DOC

From: "Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee" contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Support LPDOC
Date: 24 Aug 2008 17:09:05 -0700

 
 
Free Peltier 2008
 
 
 
Please Help Support the LPDOC for Leonard's Freedom
 

Dear Supporter,

As Leonard Peltier marks his 64th birthday on Sept. 12, the LPDOC is redoubling its efforts to win his freedom. We are planning an ambitious organizing drive in our new Fargo office to persuade North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, to investigate the federal government's role in the violent counterinsurgency on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1973-1976, the FBI's withholding of thousands of pages of documents related to the AIM activist, and the unfair federal trial in Fargo which led to Leonard's conviction in 1977. 

Leonard is suffering from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, high blood pressure, and prostate problems. He needs your help.

We need your help too, if we are to do the work that needs to be done to obtain justice for one of the longest-serving political prisoners in the world. At the moment, we are barely keeping up with our rent and phone bills, our two full-time staff members are working without pay, and we badly need a new photocopier. Due to the damaging actions of a former LPDC employee, who removed valuable office equipment and contributor records, we are rebuilding our committee virtually from scratch. We have found an experienced volunteer editor for our Spirit of Crazy Horse newspaper, but in order to resume publication, we will need your support.

If you are able to contribute $20 or more for this campaign, you will receive a free subscription to the newsletter to keep abreast on developments in Peltier's campaign and in Indian Country generally. Please contribute as generously as you are able, and also take the time to write and/or call Sen. Dorgan and presidential candidates Barack Obama and Ralph Nader. To date, Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney is the sole presidential candidate to support justice for Leonard Peltier. With your help, we can win Leonard's freedom from the same city in which it was taken away. Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, please fill out the name and address in the form below to help us rebuild our list of supporters at the state and national level.

--Thank You, Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, Executive Director

 
--------------------------------------------------------

 

Contribution: $5   $10   $15    $25    $50   $100   $_____other

Print, clip and send to:

LPDOC
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
701-235-2206


Name (Print)_________________________________________                 
 

Address____________________________________________ 

 

City, State, Zip_______________________________________ 

 
Phone ____________________________________________

 
Email______________________________________________

 
CONTACT:

The Honorable Byron L. Dorgan
United States Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3405
Phone: 201-224-2551
Fax: 202-224-1193

Barack Obama Fargo, ND Office
107 Roberts St.
Fargo, ND 58102
701-237-2201

Nader for President                            
PO Box 34103
Washington, D.C. 20043
202-471-5833


____
© 2008 Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

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Leonard Peltier’s August 24th Statement

From: "Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee" contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: August 24, 2008 Statement
Date: 24 Aug 2008 17:00:07 -0700

 
 
AMERICA'S UNFINISHED BUSINESS
 
 

 

AUGUST 24, 2008

Greetings my friends and relatives,

First of all, I can't express to you, near as much as I'd like to. The sincere appreciation I have that you would gather together remembering all the political prisoners, hostages and myself the way you have. 

Gatherings like this are extremely important because it reminds people of the sacrifices that are made daily through out the world for freedom, justice, and a clean and sane environment for our future generations. The powers that exploit our resources and people will always be there, generation after generation. 

And the creator will always call upon people to stand against that exploitation.  Even if the creator does not call. Any just man or woman, with any semblance of justice, be it spiritual, social or environmental, He will find cause to take issue with those enemies of humanity and nature. 

One of the reasons I am so appreciative is because I want you to know, from where I stand the gatherings that you do mean so very very much to the other political prisoners, other hostages and myself.  It is an extreme importance that political prisoners and hostages not be forgotten.  Not necessarily for the sake of the prisoners and hostages themselves, but for the sake of future generations.  To appreciate and protect and jealously guard the freedoms they possess; that was paid for with someone's life.  I think the most difficult times for  a political prisoner or hostage, is when people start to forget what their sacrifice was about,  when people become complacent because of some economic level they have attained, and forget the sacrifices that were made and  the danger of them losing those gains is imminent.  And I know from personal experience, the joy I feel when I receive letters of appreciations or visitors and that is second to the joy I feel when I know that my efforts were not in vain.  And there are young people taking up the cause and responsibility of regaining our lost freedoms and resources. 

I dearly miss the touch of friends, I dearly miss walking through a forest or across a meadow or even through the traffic of a busy street, or feeling the wind blowing against my skin, directly, rather than a window or some chain link fence.

But with all this, I can't express to you how at a great loss I would feel if the reason and cause of the many political prisoners and hostages throughout the world was forgotten.  Swept aside, because people become too comfortable with their status quo. 

I have been here for 33 years that is more than half of my life.  I would give almost anything to go home.  But I won't give up,

I would give almost anything to be with my family.  But I won't be quiet.

I would give almost anything to say goodbye to this place, but I won't say goodbye to my beliefs and our struggle. 

I would give almost anything to walk out this door and never return.  But I will never walk away from the love of my people. 

When I think of the things that I hear and see in the media, about how many different special interest groups, speak of various subjects, like the right to live, or pro-life, I cant help but think, of the children around the world, who never get a chance to live because of the exploitation of their resources of their country and their people. 

All of the destruction that is taking place here and abroad is a direct result of people, special interest groups, whose interest is primarily wealth and taking more than they need. 

The religious people or should I say The spiritual people of America, and anywhere else for that matter, should seek to aggressively band together to stop the unjust wars that truly impact primarily the common man, the common man who in his village or farm, city or anywhere else is destroyed, by bombs, from the various governments. Governments; Who in the name of nationalism and patriotism seek to gain political power and control over someone else's resource and political system.  They should actively band together and identify the things they have in common rather than dwelling on their differences.  Perhaps I am rambling too much in my statement, after 33 years in prison and 63 years upon this earth, much of this time spent thinking, praying, analyzing, and mediating, on the information that I gather from various forms of writings, books and observations, I somehow feel I have a little bit of a right, to say what I think and feel.

I love you all and I am so honored that I would be invited to make a statement to you.  And if I could hug each one of you individually, I guarantee you would damn well be hugged!

I have never given up in my struggle for freedom.

Freedom is a natural inclination of all living creatures up on the earth. Even a newborn will struggle when held too tightly.

I deeply regret being in prison I deeply regret losing family members while in here, I deeply regret all the wonderful things in life that I have missed, but I will never regret standing up for my people for as long as I can draw my breath. My heart is with them always, and my heart is with you today. 

So long for now; I will remember you in my prayers and until next time.

Keep the faith.

Your relative always

In the spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier

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© 2008 Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

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Birthday Party for Leonard Peltier in Northern California

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