[Wamvan] Fwd: International Day in Solidarity with Leonard Peltier

[Tami Starlight]

FYI
tami



http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2011092914461220

International Day in Solidarity with Leonard Peltier

Friday, September 30 2011 @ 09:46 AM CDT
Contributed by: Arthur J. Miller
Views: 535

The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee calls on supporters
worldwide to protest against the injustice suffered by Indigenous
activist Leonard Peltier. Gather on February 4, 2012, at every federal
court house and U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide to demand the
freedom of a man wrongfully convicted and illegal imprisoned for 36
years!

International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier: Clemency Now!

The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee calls on supporters
worldwide to protest against the injustice suffered by Indigenous
activist Leonard Peltier. Gather on February 4, 2012, at every federal
court house and U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide to demand the
freedom of a man wrongfully convicted and illegal imprisoned for 36
years!

Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist wrongfully accused in
1975 in connection with the shooting deaths of two agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Government documents show that,
without any evidence at all, the FBI decided from the beginning of its
investigation to 'lock Peltier into the case'.

U.S. prosecutors knowingly presented false statements to a Canadian
court to extradite Mr. Peltier to the U.S. The statements were signed
by a woman who was forced by FBI agents to say she was an eyewitness.
The government has long since admitted that the woman was not present
during the shootings.

Meanwhile, in a separate trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. Peltier's
co-defendants were acquitted by reason of self defense. Had Leonard
been tried with his co-defendants, he also would have been acquitted.

Unhappy with the outcome of the Cedar Rapids trial, prosecutors set
the stage for Mr. Peltier's conviction. His trial was moved to an area
known for its anti-Indian sentiment—Fargo, North Dakota. The trial
judge had a reputation for ruling against Indians, and a juror is
known to have made racist comments during Mr. Peltier's trial.

FBI documents prove that the U.S. government went so far as to
manufacture the so-called murder weapon, the most critical evidence in
the prosecution's case. A ballistics test proved, however, that the
gun and shell casings entered into evidence didn't match. The FBI hid
this fact from the jury. Mr. Peltier was convicted and sentenced to
two consecutive life terms. According to court records, the United
States Attorney who prosecuted the case has twice admitted that no one
even knows who fired the fatal shots.

Leonard Peltier is 67 years old and in poor health. An accomplished
author and artist, Mr. Peltier is renowned for his humanitarian
achievements. In 2009, Leonard was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
for the sixth consecutive year.

Although the courts have acknowledged evidence of government
misconduct—including forcing witnesses to lie and hiding ballistics
evidence reflecting his innocence—Mr. Peltier has been denied a new
trial on a legal technicality. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, 55
Members of Congress and others—including a judge who sat as a member
of the court in two of Mr. Peltier’s appeals—have all called for his
immediate release.

The Courts may not be able to act but Barack Obama, as President, can.
Please join with us to free an innocent man. On February 4, 2012, tell
Obama to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier.

Scheduled events will be announced and details provided at
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info.

Launched into cyberspace by the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info


--
"Until all of us are free, the few who think they are remain tainted
with enslavement." Lee Maracle
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