Indigenous Rights Long Overdue: Leonard Peltier's Circle for Clemency
author: repost
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introduction by Lichen June, information sourced from www.freepeltiernow.org, repost from Cascadia Connections: www.cascadiaconnections.com
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On November 5th, 2009 President Obama will host his first annual White House Tribal Summit where he will hopefully announce his support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Shamefully, the U.S. was one of just four countries to vote against the UN Declaration two years ago, and the United States is still following the Bush Administration policies on this.
It is long overdue for the US to recognize and uphold the rights of Native Nations and the human rights of indigenous peoples. We are all watching to see what action President Obama will take this Thursday. All 564 federally recognized tribes are invited to send a representative to the event, and Friends of Peltier is asking all tribal chairpersons take this opportunity to speak to Obama about the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of Leonard Peltier.
Peltier has been a Native political prisoner in the US for over 30 years. Since 1999 Amnesty International has been calling for Leonard Peltiers release, before US Congress and in United Nations briefings. In support of the tribal action on November 5th, please sign the online Clemency Petition and contact the White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111 / 202-456-1112 President Obama Free Peltier Now!
To learn about the Peltier case, watch, "Incident at Oglala," a documentary produced and narrated by Robert Redford. You can watch the film online at www.freepeltiernow.org.
Leonard Peltier has been waiting for justice and freedom for over 30 years. Please take a moment to read the information below about Leonard Peltier, world reaction to his plight, and what you can do to 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 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 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'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 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'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 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 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'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 Peltier NOW! Visit www.freepeltiernow.org often to learn more about efforts to win Leonard's freedom and find out what you can do to help.
Visit original post at Cascadia Connections for links to the clemency petition, etc
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homepage: http://cascadiaconnections.com/article_june_lichen_free_leonard_peltier_indigenous_rights.html
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