'Will you be a warrior for Leonard Peltier?'

Excerpts from a talk by Matowin

Leonard Peltier is an American Indian Movement warrior who was framed up by the federal government on charges that he shot two FBI agents at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1975.

There is uncontested proof that the government covered up and fabricated evidence in order to convict him. Yet Leonard has consistently been denied a new trial and the Supreme Court has refused to consider his case.

Millions of people around the world know of Leonard Peltier's case and support the call for his freedom. Some of these people are famous, such as South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. But most of them are people like you and me.

Leonard Peltier, an innocent man, is the foremost Native American political prisoner in a country that does not admit it has political prisoners.

Over the years in prison, Leonard's health has deteriorated. He is in constant pain. He has severe problems with his jaw, making it impossible for him even to chew food. But the prison authorities refuse to allow him to get the necessary medical treatment.

Leonard has consistently been denied parole and even a proper parole hearing. As a result, his lawyers have this past year filed a habeas corpus petition and are trying to force the government to at least give him a public parole hearing.

Normally, petitions for presidential clemency are reviewed within about six months. Leonard has had a clemency petition before Clinton and Janet Reno for eight years. Rooms at the Justice Department are overflowing with petitions and letters supporting Leonard.

But no action has been taken.

Leonard is now asking everyone to demand that President Obama grant clemency.

We are also pleased to announce that the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Mass., will be dedicated to Leonard Peltier.

Every year since 1970, on so-called "thanksgiving" day, Native Americans and our supporters have gathered on the hill above Plymouth Rock for the National Day of Mourning.

Leonard Peltier now embodies five centuries of Indigenous resistance in the Americas--from the Inca to the Innu, from the Tainos and Arawaks and Caribs who fought with fists and spears and rocks against the European invaders who slaughtered and enslaved them to Geronimo, Crazy Horse, Anna Mae Aquash and other warriors of the American Indian Movement.

The state--the armed henchmen that protect the interests of the ruling class--has focused its efforts on untold millions of people from all four directions, of all races, who have dared to stand up against racism and slavery and capitalism.

Not too long ago, Leonard Peltier sent a message to Mumia Abu-Jamal and his supporters encouraging everyone to keep up the good fight. Leonard wrote about how he sometimes feels down and hopeless after being imprisoned for so many years.

But then he remembers all of the people who love him and support him. He remembers that he is a warrior for his people, and that to accept defeat is not a warrior's way.

Will you be a warrior for Leonard? Will you be a warrior for Mumia? Will you join with us in the broader revolutionary struggle that will tear down the iron houses and smash this government once and for all?

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