Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27

Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27

Please post and circulate widely.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For more information: Tony Gonzales-415-577-1492
Sampson Wolfe-408-5901347


PAROLE HEARING SET FOR LEONARD PELTIER FREE NOW!!!!

AIM-WEST, a SF community based organization in support of rights for all Indigenous Peoples announces an urgent press conference in San Francisco on Friday, June 26, 2009 on behalf of Sundance Brother, and friend Leonard Peltier who appeals for help from you, now at this hour.

Brother Leonard Peltier has been given a PAROLE DATE HEARING NOW SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009! This is a call for a final effort for a major letter writing campaign within the next thirty days. The press and media is specially invited.

We wish to encourage the public, friends and supporters to write letters to the U.S. Parole Commission at the address listed below. This is the best opportunity Leonard has for a fair parole hearing in all of his 34 years in prison! Join with us and together tell the public that now is the time for Leonard’s release to freedom.

All drummers and singers are welcome. Organizations, social movements and representatives are encouraged to come and speak on behalf of their communities and networks. Come and stand with us to help push the iron doors wide open and seek the release of America’s number one American Indian being held hostage for a crime he did not commit.

AIM-WEST and supporters will meet for a noon rally Friday, June 26 at the Federal Building 450 Golden Gate Avenue (Polk and Seventh) beginning with a press conference at 11 am until 1 pm. June 26th also marks the anniversary of the shoot-out that occurred in 1975 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.



--- On Fri, 5/22/09, Arthur J. Miller wrote:

From: Arthur J. Miller
Subject: Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27

Subject: Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27


> Leonard Peltier's first full parole hearing was held in 1993, at
> which time his case was continued for a 15-year reconsideration. On
> Wednesday, it was announced (in Portland, OR) that Mr. Peltier has
> recently applied for and been granted a parole hearing. The hearing
> is scheduled for July 27, 2009. All supporters are encouraged to
> step up their efforts in support of parole for Leonard Peltier.
>
> Letters in Support of Parole
>
> It is really important that everyone write letters in support of
> Leonard's petition for parole. These letters can be quite simple
> and should cover the basic points important for parole decisions. A
> sample letter follows. Feel free to use it, but know that it's even
> better if you write one in your own words. Be courteous and concise.
>
> Get as many people to sign similar letters, as well. Carry a sheaf of
> spare letters with you. Get one signature per letter, that is, rather
> than using a petition format. Mail them to the Parole Commission,
> but also send copies to the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
> (contact information below).
>
> Guidelines for General Supporters
>
> First, we ask that you sign the online at
> http://www.msplinks.com/http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/.
>
> Next, draft correspondence to the U.S. Parole Commission. A sample
> letter follows.
>
> Sample Letter
>
> United States Parole Commission
> 5550 Friendship Boulevard
> Suite 420
> Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286
> (Insert Date)
>
> Re: LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132
>
> Dear Commissioners,
>
> Convicted in connection with the deaths on June 26, 1975, of
> Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, agents of the Federal Bureau of
> Investigation, Mr. Leonard Peltier remains imprisoned at the United
> States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
>
> The court record in this case clearly shows that government
> prosecutors have long held that they do not know who killed Mr. Coler
> and Mr. Williams nor what role Leonard Peltier "may have" played
> in the tragic shoot-out.
>
> Further, in a decision filed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
> on December 18, 2002, Mr. Peltier's sentences "were imposed in
> violation of [Peltier's] due process rights because they were based
> on information that was false due to government misconduct," and,
> according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2003: ".Much
> of the government's behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and its
> prosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The government
> withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not
> disputed."
>
> Despite these admissions, Leonard Peltier has served over 33 years
> in prison.
>
> After careful consideration of the facts in Leonard Peltier's case,
> I have concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk to
> the public. First, Leonard Peltier has no prior convictions and has
> advocated for non-violence throughout his prison term. Furthermore,
> Leonard Peltier has been a model prisoner. He has received excellent
> evaluations from his work supervisors on a regular basis. He
> continues to mentor young Native prisoners, encouraging them to
> lead clean and sober lives. He has used his time productively,
> disciplining himself to be a talented painter and an expressive
> writer. Although Leonard Peltier maintains that he did not kill
> the agents, he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over
> their deaths.
>
> Most admirably, Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to those
> in need. He donates his paintings to charities including battered
> women's shelters, half way houses, alcohol and drug treatment
> programs, and Native American scholarship funds. He also coordinates
> an annual holiday gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge
> Indian Reservation.
>
> Leonard Peltier is widely recognized for his good deeds and in
> turn has won several awards including the North Star Frederick
> Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of
> the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International
> Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime
> Achievement. Mr. Peltier also has been nominated for the Nobel
> Peace Prize six times.
>
> Leonard Peltier is now over 60 years of age-a great-grandfather-and
> suffers from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, and
> high blood pressure.
>
> I recognize the grave nature of the events of June 26, 1975,
> and I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of those who
> died that day. However, I find aspects of this case to also be of
> concern and I believe Leonard Peltier deserves to be reunited with
> his family and allowed to live the remaining years of his life in
> peace. I also believe that, rather than presenting a threat to the
> public, Mr. Peltier's release would help to heal a wound that has
> long impeded better relations between the federal government and
> American Indians.
>
> Thank you for your time and consideration.
>
> Sincerely yours,
>
> Signature
>
>
> (Your Name)
> (Your Street Address)
> (Your City, State, and Zip Code)
>
> For Family and Friends
>
> As with any professional correspondence, your support letter should
> be on letterhead (if you have Microsoft Word or another similar
> program you can easily create professional-looking letterhead from
> a template). The letterhead should include all of your contact
> information including your name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail
> address if applicable.
>
> Describe your relationship with Leonard -- how do you know him, for
> how long, etc. Write about his character, and his accomplishments
> both before and during imprisonment. Discuss improvements made
> since being incarcerated such as education and his philanthropic
> work. Discuss Leonard's positive attitude and, despite his innocence,
> the fact that he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over the
> deaths that occurred on June 26, 1975.
>
> Finish your support letter by telling the Parole Board how you
> will support Leonard once he is granted parole. Your support might
> be financial, such as a place to live, use of a vehicle, or help
> finding job offers. Your support can also be emotional such as
> providing advice and encouragement.
>
> IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL SUPPORTERS: When you write a letter in support
> of Leonard's parole, mail the letter directly to the U.S. Parole
> Commission, but also please send a copy of your correspondence to
> the Peltier Legal Team, c/o LP-DOC, P.O. Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106.
> Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
>
> Friends of Peltier
> http://www.FreePeltierNow.org
>


Thank you all my relations!!