Leonard Peltier Freedom Month

Thousands of people took part during the November, 1999 Leonard Peltier Freedom Month in Washington, D.C. The month long event turned out to be a historical series of programs attracting significant attention to the case of Peltier, FBI abuses, and issues facing Indigenous Peoples. Lakota elder and spiritual advisor, David Chief led sunrise ceremonies every morning throughout the entire month, always attracting new people, always growing in size. A daily presence in front of the White House was augmented by thousands who flooded White House comment lines from around the world.

Although President Clinton had himself declared November Native American Heritage Month, numerous requests for a meeting with his staff were formally rejected. Clinton's lead council has ordered that no one in the administration is to meet with anyone involved advocating Peltier's case. Peltier's application for clemency remains on the President's desk.

On another occasion, Peltier's attorney and a delegation of Native Americans decided to attend a public Native American Law Forum panel where Attorney General Janet Reno was speaking. The supporters, who intended to listen to the panel presentation and partake in the question and answer period, were barred from entering by Reno's personal security detail without cause or explanation.

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC) is at work preparing for his March, 2000 parole review hearing, and seeking public support from responsible human rights organizations, churches, unions, and the public to pressure the Parole Commission - historically hostile to Peltier - to follow its own guidelines and let him go. Sample letters are available from LPDC. February 6 is the 24th anniversary of Peltier's arrest, and support groups across the country are encouraged to organize events calling for his freedom. The LPDC Organizing Handbook is available for a $5 donation + $1 shipping and handling requested.

The LPDC is preparing a monthly update, available for a 55¢ stamped, self addressed envelope. The December 1999 update includes important information on Peltier's health (the prison is still refusing his and his doctor's request for current x-rays), point-by-point rebuttal of the FBI attacks on Peltier in the media, a case summary, sample letters and officials' addresses, and more.

Contact the LPDC, P.O. Box 583, Lawrence, KS 66044 (785)842-5774. lpdc@idir.net www.freepeltier.org