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From: "LPDC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Nov. Peltier Freedom Month Report, II
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 12:16:18 -0600
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REPORT: NOVEMBER 1999 LEONARD PELTIER FREEDOM MONTH
PART II
We have just returned from Washington DC where we carried out the 25-day
November Leonard Peltier Freedom Month campaign. Thousands of people came
together throughout the month to help keep a continual presence going in
front of the White House on a daily basis. Meanwhile, thousands more
flooded the White House comments line with phone calls so that the Clinton
administration could not ignore our demand for long over due justice for
Leonard Peltier.
The month long event turned out to be a historical series of programs
attracting significant attention to the case of Leonard Peltier, FBI abuses,
and issues facing Indigenous Peoples. The sunrise ceremonies continued
everyday through the final weeks of the campaign, always attracting new
people, always growing in size.
On November 17th an excellent panel discussion on FBI abuses was presented
by Jean Day of the LPDC, Ward Churchill--author of Agents of Repression and
the Cointelpro Papers, Sabrina Green for Ramona Africa of MOVE, David
Thibodeau—author and survivor of the Waco incident, Karen Pickett—life long
Earth First! organizer, Geronimo Ji Jaga (Pratt)—recently released Black
Panther, Jaime Gutierrez of the Brown Berets and Ramsey Muniz Defense
Committee, and Bear Lincoln—former Native American political prisoner. This
informative and powerful presentation proved that FBI abuses affect every
sector of society. The members of the panel, all committed to seeking
justice for Leonard Peltier, showed great potential for a future movement to
expose and abolish the FBI.
On November 23rd “Women for Justice” took place in Lafayette Park. Deer
Chaser, a traditional Lakota dance group made up of youth aging seven to
twenty-one and coordinated by Marvin Clifford opened the event. Dancing in
honor of Leonard Peltier and of women, they impressed the crowd of people
with their tremendous talent and Native pride. The afternoon followed with
excellent talks given by Deborah Peebles, Pemina Yellow Bird, Jennifer
Harbury, and Kahn Tineta Horn. Performances by Wayquay and the Colorado
Sisters left an unforgettable impression upon those attending and passing
by.
Throughout the month several people fasted, each for four days with no food
or water, with the guidance of David Chief. On November 24 and 25 a group
of people sat in front of the White House and carried out a silent all day
protest. Over three hundred people gathered throughout Thanksgiving Day to
close the month long effort, knowing that it was only the beginning of a
growing movement that will continue to unite until Leonard Peltier is free.
Lakota elder and spiritual advisor, David Chief, held a closing prayer
circle in Lafayette Park as the sun went down. Afterwards the crowd marched
with candles from Lafayette to the Ellipse Park, the drum leading the way,
and the crowd getting as close as they could get to the White House’s
windows.
Overall Leonard Peltier Freedom Month was a success, although we were
reminded that this battle is an uphill one, thanks to the FBI’s unlimited
resources and reprehensible vindictiveness coupled by the US government’s
unwillingness to accept responsibility for its past human rights violations.
For example, LPDC spokesperson Jean Day called Lynn Cutler’s office of the
White House to arrange a meeting between members of the Clinton
administration and a delegation of Native Americans who had traveled from
different parts of the United States to Washington DC in support of Leonard
Peltier’s freedom. Though it was November, the month declared to be Native
American Heritage Month by President Clinton himself, Cutler’s office told
Ms. Day that a meeting was not possible. They explained that there was an
order passed down from Clinton’s lead council not to meet with anyone
involved with the Peltier case. On another occasion, Leonard Peltier’s
attorney along with a delegation of Native Americans decided to attend a
public Native American Law Conference panel where Janet Reno was speaking.
The supporters who intended to listen to the panel discussion and partake in
the question and answer period, were illegally banned from entering by Janet
Reno’s personal security without explanation. Such outrageous and
disrespectful treatment compounded with the FBI’s continued smear campaign
and the general media’s reluctance to cover important aspects of the case
are proof that we cannot underestimate our need to be strong, united and
well organized. On the other hand, such special treatment does show that we
are posing a threat to those whose interest it serves to cover up the real
facts of the Peltier case, and we should not be discouraged.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who
traveled to DC, worked to organize phone banks, helped to fund our efforts,
and we would especially like to thank the people who gave up a month of
their lives to work in DC and make the campaign possible. Our movement is
building and strengthening. Now we must continue to unite, strategize and
organize until Leonard Peltier is free.
It's 1999, why is Leonard Peltier still in prison???
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-842-5774
www.freepeltier.org
