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-----------Forwarded message----------
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 16:08:40 -0600
From: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: lpdc news
Hey everyone-here is our conference proposal including many confirmed
speakers. Let us know if you have any suggestions. Thanks-LPDC
The Leonard Peltier Organizing Conference
Sponsored by the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
June 25, 26, and 27, 1999
WHY AN ORGANIZING CONFERENCE?
Leonard Peltier has been in prison for 23 years. Over the years amazing
accomplishments have been made which have helped to educate many about his
case, expose his innocence, build support, and to most importantly, keep
him alive. But, astonishingly, we have not yet gained his freedom.
Twenty-three years is a long time and over the years activity around his
case has fallen and risen. The government has shown us that they in no way
intend to simply do the right thing and let Leonard out. It is obvious
that at this point we need to be better organized and dedicated to his
freedom (which stands for our own freedom) which can only be obtained by a
massive collective effort of the people.
Now is a time for unity. Over the years people have had many ideas and
strategies on how Leonard's freedom could be obtained. Oftentimes
conflicts arise as to what kind of activity is appropriate. While all
strategies planned must be known and okayed by Leonard and we must all work
on the same page, we feel that we must encourage everyone to do what they
do best and we must work on every possible level simultaneously--from grass
roots to lobbying to legal strategies. We want everyone who attends this
conference to go home better prepared to organize with a feeling of renewed
dedication and unity.
PROPOSAL FOR WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Legal Presentation:
Lawyers will update the conference attendees on the current legal
status of Leonard's case. This will be followed by a question and answer
session.
The purpose of this will be to let everyone know where Leonard's case
stands, how they can support it, and to answer any questions people may
have about Leonard's case in general. Carl Nadler (confirmed), Eric Seitz
(confirmed), Jennifer Harbury (confirmed) and Ramsey Clark (invited) will
be giving this presentation.
Prison Issues Presentation:
Presentations given by ex-prisoners and prisoner advocates will be
given in order to sensitize people to the conditions under which prisoners
are
currently living. This should also include current restrictions continuing
to be implemented at Leavenworth such as limiting visits, banning radios,
etc. This will help to create the sense of urgency needed to free Leonard
while helping to build the movement to educate people as to the realities
prisoners face today. Helen Felix Baca (confirmed), Bobby Castillo
(confirmed), and Ida Robinson (invited) will be giving this presentation.
Presentation on International Campaign:
Bobby Castillo will report to the conference attendees on the current
state of the international campaign, its importance, and how people can
help support it. Noal Kleinman (invited-Amnesty International), Paul
Hoffman (invited-Amnesty International), Sharon Venne (invited), and Nelson
Mandela's attorney, Lennox Hinds (invited), will also discuss the
importance of international pressure in the Peltier freedom campaign.
Lobbying:
Jennifer Harbury (confirmed), Keith Jennings (confirmed-president
of the
African American Human Rights Foundation), Ernie Stevens,
Jr.(confirmed-president of the National Congress of American Indians), and
Faye Brown (invited) will be giving a lesson on the best way for Peltier
supporters to lobby their elected officials, get meetings set up, get city
resolutions passed, etc. Lobbying packets to be used to educate elected
officials will be sold at cost during this workshop. They will include:
the FBI files, the 10 minute lobbying video, the book, THE TRIAL OF LEONARD
PELTIER, and a one page summary of lobbying tips and contacts.
Political Prisoners:
Ex-political prisoners such as Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt (invited) and
representatives for current political prisoners such as Pam Africa for
Mumia Abu-Jamal (confirmed), Marcos Vilar for the Puerto Rican POWs
(invited), Irma Muniz for Chicano political prisoner Ramsey Muniz
(confirmed), Kahn Tineta-Horn and OJ for Wolverine (invited), LPDC for
Peltier, and members of Jericho such as Safiya Bukari (confirmed), will
discuss strategies that we as a group can use to strengthen the movement
to free all political prisoners. Discussed could be possible legal
strategies that could be taken as a group, future Jericho actions, and
other ways we can support each other.
Grass-Roots Organizing for Leonard Peltier Support Groups, Leonard Peltier
Coalitions, Human Rights Groups, etc:
The topics of this workshop will include specific ways to organize for
Leonard Peltier on a grass roots level. Discussed will be tabling, phone
trees, meetings, media, film showings, mailing lists, on campus activities,
protests, etc. This workshop may be most successful if we at some point
split into specific working groups. During this workshop organizing packets
will be available for purchase at cost. They will include: The Leonard
Peltier Support Group handbook, a copy of "Incident at Oglala", a bundle of
Spirit of Crazy Horse news letters, The FBI files, literature to copy,
buttons, bumper stickers, T-shirts, and Leonard Peltier Support Group
Banners. We should also decide a date for the next plan of action, where
it will occur, and what it will entail. David Dellinger (on organizing
Civil Disobedience-confirmed), Karen Pickett (how to mobilize mass
movements-invited), CT Butler (group decision making-confirmed), Professor
Michael Yellow Bird (on campus organizing-confirmed), Arthur Miller (North
West Peltier regional coordinator on building long term community
support-confirmed) and Julie Powell or Syvia Tamarkin (CNN-getting media
attention-invited) are some of the people invited to run this work shop.
DETAILS-This conference will be held here in Kansas. Make arrangements to
attend! Kansas City is the closest airport if you will be flying.
Organize caravans and busses if you will be driving. You will need to
register with us if you are coming, but details involving food, lodging,
and transportation are currently being worked out. We are trying to make
this as affordable as possible. We will let you know ASAP what we are able
to secure. Call the LPDC for more information.
PS-We are at the early planning stages of this conference-if you have input
or ideas let us know!
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