And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 19:51:23 -0600 >From: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: statment by Peltier for DEC 19 >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >statement by Leonard Peltier for December 19th 1998 protests > >February 6th, 1999 will mark my 23rd year in prison. Twenty-three years is >a long time. It is nearly one half of my 54 years of age. In these 23 >years we have filed three direct appeals countering and attacking the >evidence used to convict me. Each time we have made some advancement and >success in exposing the corruption and conspiracy to imprison me. I don't >need to tell you of the political atmosphere that was happening on Pine >Ridge. But, we all know that there was government sponsored drive by >shootings and terrorist acts on the Lakota, Oglala people. Any of us who >took the oath to become a warrior was well aware that these attacks against >Native American Nations was not just taking place on Pine Ridge-it was >happening through out Indian Country. Though I know in my heart I have >committed no crimes-I have never violated any of their laws, not even a >traffic ticket-the American government insists that I committed a crime >against their Nation. I have no idea what crime that could be. First >they tell me I am convicted of first degree murder, then their evidence is >impeached and they tell me that I am convicted of aiding and abetting. I >do not know who or what I could have aided and abetted since my >co-defendants were found innocent on grounds of self-defense. So, I guess >I am in prison for aiding and abetting self-defense. In reality the only >thing I am guilty of is defending and standing up for a nation of people >who were being oppressed and were resisting attempts of complete >annihilation. An attempt that no one has yet been made to pay for. > >In the last 23 years we have also been fighting my illegal extradition from >Canada. It is an undisputed, known fact that by vote, the courts of Canada >and the U.S. concluded the proceedings were fraudulent with manipulation >and manufacture of evidence-in direct violation of International Law. In >1995, after a lot of pressure from the Canadian people, Canada's Minister >of Justice conducted an investigation into the extradition proceedings. >This report has since been approved for release by the Privacy Commission, >and yet, the current Minister of Justice, Ann Mc Clellan will not release >the report to us. Obviously the disclosure of this report could prove >crucial to my freedom. > >We have tried everything possible in the last 23 years to obtain my >freedom-there has been many supporters that have stuck with me since the >day of my arrest and many more who have moved on with their lives-there are >always many more new ones coming to my aid in my hour of need-I thank all >of you for the position you have taken on my behalf. I understand your >frustration-I feel it every minute of every day. I know some of you may go >to jail for a short while-I wish I could hold you in my arms and thank you >personally for the sacrifice you are willing to take for me. > >The future of our struggle for justice is going to get harder-not only for >Native people but for all people who love freedom and peace. As we see >right wing media with its biased reports on what is going on in places such >as Chiapas, Iraq, Palestine, and here at home, we must strengthen our >abilities to communicate with each other and educate our communities to the >realities which we face as caring, compassionate human beings who do have >the ability to live with one another with respect. I know that one day we >will succeed. > >In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, >Leonard Peltier > > > > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------- >To subscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To change your email address, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with your old address in the Subject: line > <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.... Please Check it before you send it: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
