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