In The Spirit of Leonard Peltier Visions of US Prisoner #89637-132

IN THE SPIRIT OF LEONARD PELTIER VISIONS OF US PRISONER #89637-132

Date: Thursday January 31st, 7:00 pm

Location: El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe,
1615 B Paseo de Peralta,
Santa Fe, New Mexico
phone: 505-992-0591
info@ElMuseoCultural.org

Directions and info for El Museo: http://elmuseocultural.org/


Date: Saturday February 2nd, 7:00 pm
Location:Railyard Performance Center
1611 B Paseo de Peralta,
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Phone: 505-982-8309

Author/Editor/Spoken-Word Performer Harvey Arden along with guest performers.

Mark Holtzman [ aka. Silent Bear ] will honor the gathering with his music on the Jan 31 venue only.

These and other dedicated and talented people will offer their personal thoughts of Leonard Peltier. Harvey Arden with the passion and spirit in the words of Leonard Peltier will make the event something not to be missed.

This passionate spoken word performance is based on the Leonard Peltier book-Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance.

Prison Writings was written in 1999 by the Native American political prisoner, Leonard Peltier, whose words were adapted into a powerful stage-play by his editor, Harvey Arden. Leonard's words are just as poignant today as when the book first appeared and deserves the attention of the entire nation.

Prison Writings is a collection of Peltier's essays and poems, reflecting his life and his work from within the prison walls. Defending his People and being Indian is his only crime. The cultural traditions of his people connect Leonard and each of us to the Great Mystery [ Wakan Tanka ]. This spirit connection and his personal sacrifice to the Creator keeps him strong and unbroken. His life is connected to each of us. Each day this innocent man suffers for his people; in fact ,now that you know his truth, he also suffers for you.

What will you do now?

During the horrific early 1970's Reign of Terror on the Lakota (Sioux)reservation at Pine Ridge South Dakota, an infamous time of violence and corruption existed. Complicit tribal officials hired local thugs known as ' GOONS --'Guardians of the Oglala Nation', who--with the blessing of the U.S. Government--carried out an unprovoked series of assaults on the traditional people on the Pine Ridge reservation. SD. Behind these attacks was Big Energy's desire for uranium under Sioux lands, then being secretly negotiated between the U.S. government and compliant Tribal officials.

Two FBI agents were killed on June 26, 1975 during a gun battle on The Jumping Bull Property. Leonard Peltier was falsely framed for the murder of the two FBI agents. The other defendants charged with the same crime had been acquitted by a jury. They were defending their people from an unprovoked attack. Self defense a basic right was denied Leonard Peltier and his legal team.

Following the discovery of new evidence obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. Mr. Peltier demanded a new trial. The Eighth Circuit court ruled, "There is a possibility that the jury would have acquitted Leonard Peltier had the records and data improperly withheld from the defense been made available to him." Yet, the court denied Mr.Peltier a new trial. The jury sentenced Mr. Peltier to two consecutive life terms.

Judge Heaney, who authored the decision denying a new trial, has since voiced firm support for Mr. Peltier's release, stating that:

" The FBI used improper tactics to convict Mr. Peltier".

Judge Heaney also stated that:" The FBI was equally responsible for the shoot-out, and that Mr. Peltier's release would promote healing with Native Americans ".

So why is this story of Judicial Racism hidden from the public eye ?

The late Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, Amnesty International,International Indian Treaty Council, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Coretta Scott King, Mikhail Gorbachev, Gloria Steinem, Wilma Mankiller, Robert Redford, the European Parliament, and a host of other notables all have worked, petitioned,and pleaded for his release.

For the American Indian Nations as well as the world at large, the continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier is Americas Judicial embarrassment.

The spirit of the Sun- dancer who is Leonard Peltier confronted with the treachery and ugliness of life has transcended and Has become the message, of hope, courage, and integrity for his People for his family and each of us.

Peltier has been behind prison bars for more than half of his life (he turned 63 this past September). He remains a model prisoner,establishing numerous humanitarian projects within the prison system as well as back on the Pine Ridge Reservation.


Petitions will be available at both performances appealing for Leonard's release in his upcoming parole hearing. If Mr. Peltier is denied release at this hearing -he will not receive another
opportunity for freedom until the 2017 parole hearing. His official release date is 2041.


Leonards voice from inside the cage asks you,
" What will you do now ."

Be the change, question everything, its your duty as a citizen.

Be one voice if in your heart you can stand in support.

Join your voice with our's and together we can create change.

For further information or to become part of the healing....

Please contact:
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC)- http://www.leonardpeltier.net/


The Oglala Commemoration can be reached at http://www.oglalacommemoration.com/
holding events each June 26th and following Leonards requests to implement many projects on the Rez.

Information about Harvey Arden or to order his books-
http://www.haveyouthought.com/.


Locally, Prison Writings may be found at Hotel Santa Fe's Picuris Art Shop- 505-982-1200
(and will be available along with other titles by Mr. Arden at the above events).

http://www.mylifeismysundance.com/
to learn more about these and other upcoming Peltier events-including the screen play being produced in Santa Fe this Summer, " My Life is My Sun dance" or contact Keith Rabin at keith@mylifeismysundance.com


Respectfully,

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

Note:
Some excerpts were furnished by: Stephanie M. Schwartz (SilvrDrach@Gmail.com) from the article,"Transcendent Magic," March 2007 issue of Namaste Magazine. Please read the entire article compiled by Stephanie M Schwartz. See the hand outs at the event.
We thank her greatly.
In Peace

Bringing Leonard Peltier to Iowa and New Hampshire

Bringing Leonard Peltier to Iowa and New Hampshire
December 30, 2007,

By Harvey Wasserman
http://www.freepress.org/


The Clintons are running for a third term in the White House. As expected, their first eight years in office are being given thorough scrutiny. Everything from NAFTA to Bosnia, from Monica to health care, are going rightfully under the microscope. The disagreements are deep and generally predictable. But it is equally predictable that there is one issue---one man--- being totally ignored by the mainstream media. His case marks the moral low point of the Clinton Era. He deserves to be a part of the primary process.

His name is Leonard Peltier.

There is incontrovertible evidence that Bill Clinton was---and remains---fully aware of the circumstances of the Peltier case. But because of his cowardice, this esteemed Native American activist and spiritual leader was imprisoned not only for every day of Clinton's eight years in office, but now all the way through George W. Bush's.

Clinton infamously ended his second term with a flurry of dubious presidential pardons. Among those freed from the judicial system was Marc Rich, a freewheeling scoundrel whose filthy financial dealings were loathsome to say the least. But he was a key Clinton donor who essentially bought himself a get-out-of-jail card. Even the most corrupt Democratic loyalists found the Rich pardon hard to swallow.

By contrast, Leonard Peltier has spent more than three decades behind bars with his rights being repeatedly denied. In 1977, Leonard was wrongly convicted in the killing of two FBI agents amidst the native rights uprisings at Wounded Knee. His trial record is so laden with fraud and illegalities as to mock the fabric of our entire criminal justice system.

Amnesty International and a host of other independent global observers have long since confirmed that the FBI intimidated witnesses, withheld evidence, falsified affidavits and perpetrated every other dirty trick they could find to slap Peltier behind bars.

To this day, in the name of “national security,” the FBI is withholding some 140,000 pages of critical documents, in direct violation of numerous federal statutes. Peltier's sentence has been wrongfully extended. And his repeated requests for a retrial have been routinely denied.

Peltier's effectiveness as an activist has grown through his years in prison. From his jail cells---he has been frequently moved around---around---he's worked hard to bring critical resources to the desperately poor native society from which he came. His deeds have prompted a nomination for a Nobel Prize.

The prison system has retaliated by denying Peltier his religious freedoms---and reasonable medical care. He's been continually thrown into into solitary confinement, and denied the right to communicate fully and fairly with the outside world has been restricted.

Now in his sixties, he has somehow survived more than three decades in prison with his commitments in tact. Bill Clinton was thoroughly and repeatedly briefed on the Peltier case throughout his presidency. Yet eight years came and went, and Leonard Peltier was left to rot. Desperate last-minute pleas as he prepared his final pardon list were to no avail. It would have been easy enough for Clinton to “triangulate” by merely ordering that Peltier get a new trial.
Yet Bill Clinton left the White House fully aware that George W. Bush would do no such thing.

This is not an issue that should go unmentioned in these early primaries. Hillary Clinton is most certainly aware of the case of Leonard Peltier. She should be asked early and often whether she, as president, would have the courage and commitment to justice to at very least grant Leonard Peltier the new trial her husband would not.

All the other candidates on both sides of the aisle should be asked the same thing.

Leonard Peltier now has great-grandchildren he's never met.

As the native American community grows in strength and clarity, so does his stature as a spiritual and political symbol. We cannot save our national soul without bringing justice to bear for Leonard Peltier.

No one should enter the White House without a clear commitment to doing just that. --

To learn more about Leonard Peltier, see http://www.leonardpeltier.net/.

Harvey Wasserman is senior editor of http://www.freepress.org/, where this article first appeared.

His HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES is at http://www.solartopia.org/.

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee contact info:
website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
email: info@leonardpeltier.net
Address:
LPDC
3800 N. Mesa
#A2
El Paso, Texas 79902

Global Write- A- Thon for Leonard Peltier

GLOBAL WRITE-A-THON FOR LEONARD PELTIER
DECEMBER 1st-31st, 2007

http://users.skynet.be/kola/writeathon2007.pdf

Global Write-A-Thon for Leonard Peltier
Save the Date: December 1st-31st, 2007

Please don't forget to print out and send your letter(s) !!!

This year, we are concentrating on the release of the documents that the FBI are still withholding. Our Write-A-Thon is addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

What's a "Write-A-Thon"? Simply put: a "writing marathon".
Or write a ton of letters... :-)
"Write = Might"
Your letters are the watchdogs, putting perpetrators of abuse on notice. Your letters are the light that shines through the despair prisoners of conscience & political prisoners face on a daily basis. Your letters are tools of freedom, paving the way for the abused and battered to finally find justice and freedom.
Participation is easy!

You can either pledge to write a letter by yourself, or, you can plan a letter writing event, at your home, school, church or even at your local cafe.
You can hold your event, and send your letter(s) anytime from December 1st-31st, 2007.

To make it even easier, we are providing you with a sample letter that you can print out.
You can download the letter at:

the IPF website: http://users.skynet.be/kola/writeathon2007.pdf
the LPDC website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/documents/writeathon2007.pdf

For those who might have a problem opening a *.pdf file... just send Els an email at kolahq@skynet.be or at ipforum@skynet.be and ask for the sample letter in Word *.docSenator Leahy's address is on the letter.

You can also fax your letter to Sen. Leahy at 202-224-3479 (for supporters outside the USA: 00-1-202-224-3479)

Please inform us how many letters you & your friends/family have sent.
(note: have sent, not will send).

By the way, we are asking supporters to inform us on how many letters were sent (and from which country) for only one reason: it gives us an idea how many letters Senator Leahy will receive and if indeed, this turned out to be a writing marathon. It's not to check on you personally. :-)

Send a message to the IPF at mailto:ipforum@skynet.behttp:%2F%2F or to the LPDC at info@leonardpeltier.net
put "Peltier WriteAThon" as subject title
tell us how many letters were sent as well as your city + state (for the USA) or city + province (for Canada) or city + country (outside USA & Canada)

Please note that our online petition is NOT the same as the Write-A-Thon. This past month, there were ten times more people than usual signing the online petition for executive clemency, addressed to President George W. Bush.- Which, of course, is splendid. :-)

But the Write-A-Thon, taking place right now from December 1st to 31st, 2007, is about the release of the documents the FBI is still withholding and is addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy.

This is a writing campaign involving letters on "real" paper...

PLEASE: either print out the *.pdf sample letter or ask Els for a Word *.doc copy.

Just so you would all know you're not alone in writing... We've already received messages from over 250 supporters who sent their letters to Sen. Leahy from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, U.K., and the USA. :-)

Thank you for your support ! Let's write a ton of letters for Leonard.

Els Herten, International Peltier Forum
Toni Zeidan-Co-director LPDC

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee contact info:
Website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Email: info@leonardpeltier.net

Happy Holidays and Thank you from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee!

A Message from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee:

(http://www.leonardpeltier.net/worldevents/toydrive2007a.htm)

On behalf of Leonard Peltier, and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Thank you, for your support, gifts and donations in making the Holiday Season for the children and families of Pine Ridge a Happier Season.

Once again, supporters provided much happiness and support to the children and families at Pine Ridge, during the Holiday Season. For the past 25 years supporters have been sending gifts, donations, and clothing to the Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive. This year boxes and boxes, and more boxes arrived on a daily basis at the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee thus enabling us to provide gifts for over 400 children and families at the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Several organizations also sent gifts and clothing for children of the Havasupai, Hualapai, and Fort Peck Reservations. Nina and staff at Free City generously donated Free City clothing for youth/families of the Pine Ridge, Havasupai, Hualapai and Fort Peck Reservations. Staff and volunteers of the Smoki Museum generously donated toys, clothing and gifts for the youth of the Havasupai Reservation.

We extend our appreciation to you, and also give special thanks to the following organizations, and groups that worked collaboratively with the LPDC in making the 2007 Holiday Season happier for children and families of the Pine Ridge, Havasupai, Hualapai, and Fort Peck Reservation:

THANK YOU!

New Mexico Leonard Peltier Support Group ( LPSG- Wind that chases Spirit) members)
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan
Els Herten, International Peltier Forum
Adam Mikos, Staff and Volunteers at Smoki Museum
Nina, Lisa, Robin and staff at Free City
Joe and Staff at UPS /El Paso
Damian, Havasupai Reservation
Davina, Fort Peck Reservation
Alphonse, Hualapai Reservation
Elder Harvey Iron Boy, Pine Ridge Reservation
Tamara Brennan - NDN news
Lisa Reinhold – Oglala Commemoration

Please click here for LPDC website page and photos:

http://www.leonardpeltier.net/worldevents/toydrive2007a.htm

Once Again on behalf of Leonard Peltier and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

We- THANK YOU for your support!

Many Blessings to each and everyone of you this holiday season and
MAY YOU ALWAYS WALK IN BEAUTY !

Respectfully,

Toni Zeidan, Co-director LPDC
Chuck, New Mexico LPSG ( Wind that Chases Spirit)
Doug, New Mexico LPSG ( Wind that Chases Spirit)
Family and Friends of Daniel McGowan

Contact information for Leonard Peltier Defense Committee:
Website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Email: info@leonardpeltier.net

Legal Update regarding Eighth Circuit appellate brief filed June 8, 2007

On June 8, 2007, attorneys, Ron Kuby and David Pressman filed with the Eighth Circuit an appellate brief asking the Court to review and release some 11,000 pages of documents related to the investigation and prosecution of Leonard Peltier. Oral Arguments scheduled by the Court Of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on January 18, 2008 at Thomas F. Eagelton Courthouse, 110 S. 10th Street has been postponed.

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee will send out an announcement once the new oral argument date has been rescheduled, and confirmed by legal parties.

Respectfully,

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/

Note:
Please click here for copy of appellate brief for the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ( filed June 8, 2007) :
http://leonardpeltier.net/documents/Brief5.pdf

Please click here for copy of reply brief for the United States Courts of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. ( filed Oct 9, 2007) :
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/documents/Reply%20Final%20filed.pdf

Condolences to Floyd Red Crow Westeman Family

Leonard Peltier and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee extend our condolences to the Floyd Red Crow Westerman family. Floyd Red Crow Westerman went to the Spirit World on Dec. 13, 2007 in Los Angeles, California with his family at his side.

Services for Floyd Westerman will be in Sisseton at the Tiospa Zina Tribal School Gym.
Wake will be Saturday and Sunday, December 15,16, 2007.
Funeral will be on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10:00 AM.

Respectfully,
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
website: http://www.leonardpelter.net/

Incident of Oglala @ Guild Cinema, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and the Albuquerque, New Mexico Leonard Peltier Support Group ("The Wind That Chases Spirit") will host screenings of the film "Incident at Oglala" at the Guild Cinema, December 15 at 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

All proceeds from these screenings will go to purchase Christmas toys and clothes for the children and teenagers living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge South Dakota.

Admission is $7.00.
Seating is limited to 120 people.
Ticket sales begin 30 minutes before each show.

There will be an exhibit of artwork, by Leonard Peltier before and after each screening.

The Guild Cinema is located at 3405 Central Ave. NE -
Call 505 - 255-1848 for more information.

The Leonard Peltier Support Group ("The Wind That Chases Spirit") is also collecting new children’s toys and new clothing for children and teenagers for its' annual trip to Pine Ridge.


Respectfully,

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Email: info@leonardpeltier.net