Election over, need a new cause? Leonard Peltier could use your help

[NightWatcher]

First, read up on Leonard Peltier if you dont know about the man, the case, the injustice. Or go watch this documentary produced by Robert Redford titled "Incident at Oglala" 90 minutes total.

Part 1
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=387726205259162082

Part 2
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7478474397606955920

Then send Obama's Transition Team a message to let them know that 33 years of injustice is too long.

My letter.

Dear President-Elect, or whomever reads his mail first,

Leonard Peltier

An innocent man, Leonard Peltier was wrongfully convicted in 1977 and has served over 30 years in federal prison 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.

from Leonard Peltier's statement on November 6th, 2008.
...............
"One point that I would like everyone to focus on right now is a “30 year law” regarding my sentence and parole.
At the time I was convicted, the guidelines said:



“Any prisoner, …shall be released on parole… after serving thirty years of each consecutive term or terms of more than forty-five years including any life term, whichever is earlier: Provided, however, That the Commission shall not release such prisoner if it determines that he has seriously or frequently violated institution rules and regulations or that there is a reasonable probability that he will commit any Federal, State, or local crime.” 28 U.S.C. section 28 U.S.C.
§4206(d)



I’ve served more than 30 years of this sentence and have been considered a model prisoner And the likelihood of committing any crimes is non-existent due to my age and the humanitarian work I’ve pursued to help my people since my incarceration. According to this law, they have to grant me a parole to my next sentence. But as we’ve learned from the past, we cannot take anything for granted so your letters should be focused on this law to the parole commission and congressional leaders. If the commission complies with the letter and spirit of this law, we will have made a significant step towards my freedom and we will need to maintain and increase this momentum"
............

Please address this matter. Bill Clinton gave false HOPE that he was going to grant clemency towards the end of his term, but bowed to pressure and slinked away from office in a shameful manner only after granting pardons to the likes of Mark Rich and others who paid for them.

I worked and volunteered since prior to Super Tuesday, concluding in serving as a Poll Watcher in a heavy African American district that saw 4 to 1 ratio of support for President Elect Obama because I believed in Hope and the idea of Change. I Hope and pray that you open your heart and mind to look at this case and Change an injustice that has gone on for more than 33 years.

Please just look at this case and decide for yourself.

(name removed), a First American for Obama.

For additional information please go to:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/160/1999/en/dom-AMR511601999en.html
http://www.freepeltiernow.org
http://www.freeleonard.org

[billyoc]

1. Peltier for BIA Chief.

[dhill926]

2. "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse"

by Peter Matthiessen, is a great resource as well.

[pleah]

3. K&R

[ColbertWatcher]

4. k+r, n/t

[Chulanowa]

5. K&R

I'm afraid I haven't got a lot of hope. The US government always did enjoy extreme overreaction to anything regarding us :(

[pitohui]

6. K&R (however, do you understand bush gives the pardons in 2009 not obama?)

sadly i have little hope here, as i know that clinton was favorably inclined until some fbi agents met w. him and talked him out of the pardon, i wish we know what he was told, whether he was offered compelling "evidence" or boldly threatened, but you will never get the fbi to admit they got the wrong man

i do not believe * will give one happy flying fuck and i can't see him sticking his neck out, contrary to fbi wishes, to pardon peltier

but we can only hope

obama is not the one who will be giving the pardons in january, you understand...it will be * and i just don't see * taking action here

i certainly do not want to discourage anyone from taking action tho, a few minutes spent writing and mailing a letter to the pretzeldent is not a lot to ask, considering we are talking about a man's freedom

[NightWatcher]

7. Obama can give the pardons on day one. Most Presidents are cowards and do it on the last day

or dont do it as they had said they would, in the case of Clinton

[pitohui]

8. he can't give a pardon on day one that would piss off the fbi

i don't see this as a realistic possibility

our best chance is an out-going president, who will not have to work w. these people in future

but you are right that there is never any harm in asking

[NightWatcher]

9. fuck the fbi, he's done enough time per 28 U.S.C. section 28 U.S.C. §4206(d)

“Any prisoner, …shall be released on parole… after serving thirty years of each consecutive term or terms of more than forty-five years including any life term, whichever is earlier: Provided, however, That the Commission shall not release such prisoner if it determines that he has seriously or frequently violated institution rules and regulations or that there is a reasonable probability that he will commit any Federal, State, or local crime.” 28 U.S.C. section 28 U.S.C.
§4206(d)