Final decision: Commission denies parole to Leonard Peltier
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

February 24, 2010

APPEAL DENIED!

Today we received word that the parole decision has been affirmed by the U.S. Parole Commission. The Parole Commission made no concessions except for one -- to finally recognize Leonard's "recent prison record of good conduct." The Parole Commission went on to say that Leonard's age, health, and release plan were all considered, but that these elements "don't warrant his release at this time." All legal arguments made by the Peltier attorney Eric Seitz were rejected.

Once again, we're told that innocence is no defense. Yet again, the government has singled out Leonard Peltier as a scapegoat. As has always been the case, they intend to force Leonard Peltier to pay the price for the killings of their agents despite the lack of evidence against him. This is nothing short of politically motivated vengeance.

Leonard won't receive another full parole hearing until he is nearly 80 years old. Already at risk for blindness, kidney failure, stroke, and certainly premature death given his diet, living conditions, and health care, this parole decision is also nothing less than a death sentence.

Don't accept the unacceptable. Demand Leonard's freedom. Call the White House comment line every day to express your outrage. Call: (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1112. You also can send an e-mail to the White House. Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/. Mail or fax a letter to President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500; Fax - (202) 456-2461.

 You can use this sample Letter:

 

Dear President Obama,

 

If you, as President truly seek freedom and justice for all, act to right the wrongs committed by our Government in years gone by.

Begin by granting Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier.

 

Leonard Peltier, an innocent man was connvicted for the 1975 shooting deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. US Prosecutors have repeatedly admitted that they did not and can not prove Peltier%uFFFDs guilt and the appelate courts have cited numerous instances of investigation and prosecutorial  misconduct in the case. As late as november 2003 the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that %u201C much of government%uFFFDs behavior  at the Pine Ridge Reservation  and its Prosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed.%u201D

 

The Courts clame the lack the Powe to right this wrong. But , as President, you can.

 

In this case your concern should be for equal treatment. From the time of Peltier%uFFFDs conviction  until  the mid-1990%uFFFDs, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the average length of imprisonment  served for homicide in the United States ranged from 94 to 99.8 months.

Even if you were to take Peltier%uFFFDs consecutive life sentences in to account at the higher end of this Range , it is clear that Peltier should havee been released a very long time ago.

His continued imprisonment after over 30 years  appears to be nothing less than revenge for a crime Leonard Peltier did not commit.

Personalized and politicly motivated vengeance of this kind can not be tolerated. The concepts of justice and good government require  that you act to correct this wrong.

 

Peltier has served his time.Even by the governments own definition , he has already been imprisoned for a lifetime. In that time he has missed the simplest things of ordinary life %u2013having dinner with friends, taking walks in the woods,gardening , childrens laughter,dogs barking, the feel of rain on his face, the sound of birds singing.Winter and summer and spring and fall.he has missed seeing his children and grandchildren grow up. They suffer, too. Leonard Peltier is now a greatgrandfather. How many generations more must suffer this tragedy?

 

After careful consideration of the facts in Leonard Peltier%uFFFDs case , I have concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk to the public. First, Leonard Peltier has no prior

convictions and has advocated for non-violance thoughout his prison term. Furthermore Leonard Peltier has been a model prisoner. He has received excellent  evaluations from his work supervisors on a regular basis. He continues to mentor young native prisoners,encouraging them to lead clean  and sober lives. He has used his time productively, disciplining himself to be talented painter and an expressive writer. Although Leonard Peltier maintains that he did not kill the agents, he has openly expressed rumorse and sadness over their deaths.

 

Most admirable , Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to those in need. He donates his paintings to charities including battered women%uFFFDs shelters , half way houses, alcohol and drug treatment programs and native american scholarship funds.He also coordinates an annual gift drive for the children  of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation %u2013 a succesful program that, in 2006, expanded to include other reservations throughout the country.

 

Leonard Peltier is widely recognized in the human rights community for his good deeds and in turn has won several  human rights awards the North Star Frederick Douglas Award ; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award  ; Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize ; and  2004 Silver Arrow Award  for Lifetime Achievement. In 2009, Mr. Peltier also was nominated for the Nobel  Peace Prize for the sixth consecutive year.

 

Leonard Peltier is over 60 years old and his health is deteriorating. He has suffered a stroke which left him partially blind on one eye . For many years Peltier had a seriously dibilitationg jaw condition which left him unable to to chew properly and caused consistent pain and headaches . Today , Leonard Peltier continues to suffer from Diabetes , high blood pressure and a heart condition . He risks blindness , kidney failure , stroke and certainly premature death given his diet, living conditions , and health care.

 

I say enough is enough, Mr. President . Do the right thing . Grant Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier right away.

 

Thank you for giving fair Consideration to Leonard Peltier.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

Email:http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adress:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20500

 

Phone:

Comments %u2013   202-456-1111

Switchboard %u2013202-456-1414

Fax-                202-456-2461

 

Email:http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/