Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 19:36:27 -0400
From: Hari Scordo <nekton@erols.com>
To: Dave Ratcliffe
Subject: Clemency Countdown Peltier
COUNTDOWN TO CLEMENCY!
LEONARD PELTIER RALLY AND WALK FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2000 - NEW YORK CITY
(See below for organization endorsements) (please forward - post)
Leonard Peltier is an indigenous rights activist who has been
unjustly imprisoned for over 24 years despite the total lack of
evidence against him. His only remaining avenue for release lies
in the hands of President Clinton through a grant of Executive
clemency. Time is running out! As part of our emergency effort to
gain Leonard Peltier's long overdue freedom, we are organizing a
major event in New York City on Sunday, December 10, which is
Human Rights Day. This will be a time for us to send a positive
and united message of support for Leonard Peltier's freedom, as a
gesture of truth and reconciliation for all Indigenous Peoples.
He is considered by Amnesty International to be a political
prisoner who should be "immediately and unconditionally released."
Formerly withheld evidence casting serious doubt on Mr. Peltier's
guilt forced the government to admit that they could not prove who
was actually guilty of the crime he was convicted of and yet, he
remains behind bars. Because of clear indications that he was
unfairly targeted due to his key role in the American Indian
Movement, Leonard Peltier is often seen as a symbol of the US
government's attempts to silence those seeking positive change for
Native communities. Now Leonard Peltier is facing the most
critical time ever in his campaign for freedom and indeed his
life. Now is the time for us to join our voices together in making
a call for justice too loud to be ignored. December 10 will mark
the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Leonard
Peltier has been officially recognized as a Human Rights Defender
by the United Nations, and we must insist that the US apply human
rights to its original peoples.
We will gather in Union Square at 12:00 noon and we will walk to
the United Nations (Dag Hammarskjold Plaza) where a candlelight
vigil and program of speakers, cultural activities, and
traditional music will be presented from 2 p.m. to 4 p. m. The
walk will be led by members of the Pine Ridge Lakota Nation and
members of Leonard Peltier's family. Come show your solidarity by
representing your Native Nation, faith group, church,
organization, union, or just yourself. The event will be peaceful.
To find out how you can help make this a successful event, contact
the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, P.O. Box 583, Lawrence, KS
66044 -- 785 842 5774 or call the New York Hotline for updates on
the event at 212 539 6027.
www.freepeltier.org
Call the White House Comments Line Today
Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier! 202-456-1111
Send a short postcard message requesting Executive Clemency or
write a letter to:
President William J. Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20500
I would like to send my love, support and respect to
Leonard Peltier during this most difficult time. I
encourage everyone to stand with him now so that
together we can make his freedom a reality. One of the
most important things you can do is to write a letter to
President Clinton asking for executive clemency for
Leonard Peltier. We must never underestimate the power
of one letter well written. With faith and growing
confidence in Leonard Peltier's eventual release.
--Ron Kovic
Ron Kovic, social activist and author whose autobiography Born on
the Fourth of July was made into a motion picture, understands
that these are crucial times to be thinking about Leonard Peltier,
what he stands for, and the dedication needed to free this person
unjustly incarcerated. Ron encourages supporters to contribute to
the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and contact members of
congress. He especially urges writing letters to President Clinton
and wants everyone to make an effort to be in New York on December
10, 2000 for the Countdown to Clemency Walk for Freedom.
I would like to add my voice to all the others around
the country and the world who are asking that Leonard
Peltier be freed from prison. His original imprisonment
was a travesty of justice. He is part of a long history
of Americans jailed on false charges, the real reason
being their defiance of the government, their persistent
battle for equal rights, that demand this country live
up to its promise of genuine democracy. Every day that
he has been imprisoned has shamed us before the world,
and the time is long overdue to set him free.
--Howard Zinn, author of
A People's History of the United States
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
BEGINS WITH JUSTICE FOR LEONARD PELTIER
Message from Washington D.C. Countdown to Clemency Committee -
Hari Scordo
Organizations: Please endorse the Leonard Peltier Countdown to
Clemency Walk for Truth and Reconciliation. (for use in New York
Times Corporation ad page and promotion literature).
Name of Organization
Contact name
Full Address/City State Zip
Phone/Fax