And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 16:03:47 -0600 From: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Feb 6th INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO FREE LEONARD PELTIER on the 23 anniversary of his arrest. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 14, 1999 Contact Gina Chiala or Keith McHenry at 785-842-5774 On February 6th supporters of Native American Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier will be holding protests and starting hunger strikes in an effort to pressure the Clinton Administration to keep its 1992 campaign promise. These protests will be happening in cities all over the world including Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Washington DC, San Diego, Tacoma and Rapid City, South Dakota. (A current list of locations and times is included below. ) Leonard Peltier is an American Indian Movement (AIM) activist who was framed in a case involving the death of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation on June 26, 1975. Leonard was arrested in Canada on Feb. 6, 1976 and has remained in prison ever since. In 1975 there had been a large number of FBI agents at Pine Ridge for the purpose of defending multi-national energy company's attempt to take Lakota land for uranium mining. The FBI was a part of the oppression of the traditional Lakota People and AIM who were the resistance to the illegally taking of Lakota land. In the two years before the shootout over 60 resisters were murdered by a death squad that was armed, trained and directed by the FBI. On the day of the shootout two FBI agents came into an AIM camp in the same manner that the death squad had done all over Pine Ridge. Internal government files show that there is much proof that this was a setup against the AIM leadership, which included Leonard Peltier. Two FBI agents and one Indian were killed during the firefight. In the first trial two AIM members were found not guilty by reason of self-defense. Then the government illegally had Leonard extradited from Canada based upon false statements. They then moved his trial to a judge that had been cited for his anti-Indian attitude. Leonard's trial was a frame-up that included falsified evidence and the intimidation of witnesses. Through the appeals process Leonard's defense has disproved the government's case to the point that the government prosecutor has come out and stated that they don't know who killed the agents and that if Leonard were to have a trial today they could not convict him. They say now that Leonard's crime was that he "aided and abetted" in the deaths because he was there that day. Since the first two AIM members were found not guilty for reason of self-defense, this means that Leonard has been locked-up for 23 years for aiding and abetting in an act of self-defense. Leonard was arrested in Canada on February 6, 1976. Supporters are marking that day by starting hunger strikes and holding protests as part of an international campaign for justice for Leonard Peltier. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO FREE LEONARD PELTIER - FEBRUARY 6TH THE LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE PO Box 583 - Lawrence, KS 66044 - 785-842-5774 < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- FREE PELTIER! : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is list of protests planned for February 6, 1999 ALBANY, NY We're planning an action on Feb. 6th for International Leonard Peltier Day in Albany, New York . We will draw in people from the surrounding cities of Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga, and other nearby towns. We don't have the details yet but will keep you posted as things unfold. thanks! Francie, Leonard Peltier Solidarity Committee VICTORIA, BC AND LOUISVILLE, KY Greetings, I have gotten word that IWW members are helping to put on Feb. 6th actions also in Victoria, BC ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and Louisville, KY ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). I have asked them to send you information. Arthur BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Feb. 6, 1999 - afternoon - Wake at U.S. Embassy or protest action at international airport Zaventem (depends on how many people will come) We're also checking how many people would participate in a 48-hour hunger fast. And the petition drive has been increased via email and hopefully before February 6th via a new website (since our Internet Coordinator is having summer vacation - he lives in Australia - and complains he's bored, I'm sure the page will be finished this week... smile) More details will follow later. Elsie LONDON, ENGLAND Here in London there is a civil rights march on Feb 6th (meeting at Brixton town hall, near Brixton tube at 12 noon). We will be handing out information about Leonard to people on this march. In solidarity, Eddy HOUSTON, TX The South East Tx. Autonomous chapter of the American Indian Movement, the lpdc support groups located in Killeen and AustinTx, the World Worker's Party, and others will hold a protest on Feb. 6th for Leonard in Houston,TX.. Call 281-550-7081 for details. SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO We have one problem, a location for the Feb. 6/99, event. On Dec. 19/98, we were given the Civic Square. However, Bon Soo - the winter carnival is going on during this time period. All civic facilites are booked as are many church halls and other places. I am asking a faculty member at the local university to book a large room for us. If this fails, we will move our event to Feb. 13/99. However, PEACE magazine is putting a notice in their issue to be on the stands within a few weeks noting the Sault event and giving me as a contact number for more information. Again, our event will emphasize the need to contact the Minister of Justice and Members of Parliament about Leonard and to urge the Justice Minister to release the report on the investigation into the original extradition from Canada to the US. He are putting pressure on our local MP to do something. Other MPs have been contacted and got back to us that they support our efforts for Leonard. We also will be handing out material on the Lubicon case. Rick Palmer SAN DIEGO, CA Downtown San Diego. Call Janice Jordan at 619-233-9784 NASHVILLE There will definitely be a protest in Nashville, TN at the Federal Courthouse from noon to 3, thanks -Jon RAPID CITY This is Robert Quiver Jr, coord for Lakota Student Alliance. We are planning an event on Feb. 6 in conjunction with the Nation wide demos held on this date. We are going to hold a gathering at the Rapid City Federal Bldg, Main St., Rapid City. The gathering will include guest speakers, Live concert performances (details are being worked on right now) on Main Street., and possible civil disobedience. We will keep you informed as time passes. FMI's could contact me by phone at: (605) 867-1507. or email: < [EMAIL PROTECTED] >. Thanks Robert Quiver Jr Lakota Student Alliance WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS To LPDC - Report from LPSG western Massachusetts for 2/6 Actions Our LPSG met on 1/12/99 and joined in a consensus to plan actions to rally and picket the Federal Building on 1550 Main Street in Springfield, MA at noon. We hope to draw at least 150 people. We expect to form coalitions with other groups, such as AIM, campus organizations and others. We plan to post our flier at the seven colleges between Amherst and Springfield when school returns during the last week of January. The text of our poster is below, which includes info about a music/organizing event on the night before the rally. We expect to receive local TV media coverage affiliated with major networks. At our meeting 1/12/99, besides planning the February 6 action, we also reviewed the 12/19 actions. Eight of us were planning to being arrested, but now plan to wait for at least three or four participating LPSGs to make our actions most effective. We encourage direct communications with any LPSG open to working together on this campaign. We like to share our CD plan and learn from others to coordinate actions and press releases for gaining national coverage that is beneficial to Leonard's case, creating circumstances favorable for Canada to release their Extradition Report, for Congressional hearings to convene and/or for Executive Clemency. Our group suggests that since the Conference is set for June 26, the next good date for planning simultaneous effective CD actions would be on the observed Columbus Day, October 11, 1999. Please email LPSG - western mass, if interested in coordinating our communications for CD actions. Also, we agreed and encouraged others to write the Prime Minister of Canada for the release of the Extradition Report. We have this information available as a handout, which we copied from the LPDC website. Our group appreciates the efforts of all of you and the LPDC for uniting us. We are committed to seeing Leonard out of prison this millennium. In solidarity, Jonathan Mark LPSG W. Mass <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ps: following is the text for our poster, which announces our 2/6/99 actions NATIVE AMERICAN POLITICAL PRISONER LEONARD PELTIER WILL BE INCARCERATED FOR 23 YEARS ON FEBRUARY 6, 1999 ALTHOUGH THE FBI AND GOVERNMENT PROSECUTORS DO NOT ACCUSE PELTIER OF SHOOTING THE TWO AGENTS ON THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION IN 1975 WHY IS HE STILL IN A FEDERAL PENITENTIARY? HELP US EXPOSE TO CORRECT THE INJUSTICES AND SEND A MESSAGE TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS PICKET, FAST AND DEMONSTRATE AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING Beginning at noon SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 1999 1550 MAIN STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. RALLY AND MUSIC BENEFIT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5 IN SUPPORT OF THIS CALL TO ACTION AT THE JAVA HUT CAFE (RTE 116 IN SUNDERLAND, MA) BEGINNING AT 8:00 P.M. / TEL: (413)665-2255 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE LEONARD PELTIER SUPPORT GROUP P.O. BOX 1999, WENDELL DEPOT, MA 01380 E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee - P.O. Box 583, Lawrence, KS 66044 Tel: 785-842-5774 http://members.xoom.com/freepeltier/index.html AMSTERDAM We are planning to have a demonstration in Amsterdam on Feb. 6th. We are planning to walk from downtown Amsterdam (de Dam) to the US Consulate. As soon as I have details I will let you know. Stay strong, Frits F. Terpstra Reigerstraat 8-a 9714 EW Groningen Netherlands WASHINGTON DC Howdy. On the 6th, there will also be some sort of direct action in DC. Either at the White House or FBI. I had just noticed that someone else was planning something for DC, is it possible to their contact info so we could possibly work together? or please pass along my #- 703 445 0085 or my email. I will forward details on our action, hopefully next week when we know more. take care, Wade ----Hello. My name is Farah Nazarali-Stranieri and I'm chairperson and founder of the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples at the George Washington University. On Tuesday Jan.19 we have our general meeting and I'm going to propose that we participate in a 24 hour hunger strike on Feb.6 and embark on a letter writing campaign on behalf of Leonard Peltier. I am quite sure my fellow students will be supportive of the idea. We will also plan to meet with members of congress on Feb.5, the day before to explain why we are going on a hunger strike and present letters to them. (I am a Canadian citizen and I know the Political Minister at the Canadian Embassy here in Washington and I have already spoken to him about the idea and I will be able to meet with him to present letters to the Minister of Justice in Canada.) We may need some informational materials and we may also buy some posters. In any case, I will let the Defense Committee know of the outcome of our meeting and the exact plans for our Feb.6 event. I would also like to write a letter to Leonard. Should I send it to LPDC in Kansas? In solidarity, Farah Nazarali-Stranieri PORTLAND, MAINE At this time we have confirmed that the Northeast Woodlands chapter of the American Indian Movement is holding a protest at Monument Square in Portland, Maine on Saturday, February 6th from 1 to 4 PM. For more information contact David Spirit Bear Walton - PO Box 510, Limington, ME 04049 207-637-3097. TACOMA, WASHINGTON In the North west there will be a protest called the INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH LEONARD PELTIER on FEBRUARY 6TH in TACOMA, WA. The march starts 12:00 NOON at PUYALLUP NATION TRIBAL GROUNDS (off I-5, exit 135 north, State Route 164 in Tacoma. The Tribal Grounds are about a 1/4 mile on the right hand side of the road). We will march from the Puyallup Nation Tribal Grounds to the Federal Court House in downtown Tacoma at 1717 Pacific, where we will have a rally. NORTHWEST LEONARD PELTIER SUPPORT NETWORK- TACOMA OFFICE P.O. BOX 5464 TACOMA, WA 98415-0464 USA e-mail; < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > DENVER,CO Protest scheduled for Feb. 6, 1999 in downtown Denver, CO. March is from the Capital Bldg to Federal Courthouse. Coordinators for the event: Kathy D. Peltier (303)752-3892 or [EMAIL PROTECTED], Robbie (303) 399-9067 and Nancy Benton. Call for updates. Coordinating Meeting is at Living Waters, 5th & Bannock, at 5:30 PM. on January 14, 1999. please post widely END THE TORTURE OF LEONARD PELTIER HUNGER STRIKE BEGINING FEBRUARY 6, 1999 There comes a time when people must step forward and act directly upon the great injustices of the world. The case of Leonard Peltier is one such great injustice. February 6, 1999 marks the 23th year of Leonard's imprisonment. Leonard is in prison for standing up to the evil forces of the empire of greed. These forces framed Leonard and these forces continue to cover up their crimes against Leonard and against the people. Leonard has suffered greatly because of this oppression. They have harassed him at every point, they attempted to assassinate him, and now they are torturing him by refusing to allow medical treatment which he desperately needs as he is in continuous pain and cannot even take nourishment except through a straw. Yet the people can end this injustice if they are just willing to act in unity. The call has gone out for a mobilization of all concerned people on February 6, 1999, THE INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH LEONARD PELTIER. It is very important to show solidarity with Leonard in public so that the forces of evil will know that Leonard's case will not ever go away, and--more importantly-that it will continue to grow until he is freed! After much thought, it has been decided that some of us must push this struggle even further by going on a hunger strike to end the torture of Leonard Peltier. This hunger strike will begin on February 6th. We are calling upon those who are able and willing to join us in this hunger strike. We are also asking that people support this action and act to end the torture of Leonard Peltier. Please e-mail Clinton, the Bureau of Prisons and your congresspeople messages demanding the end of the torture. In Solidarity Dale Pfeiffer, IWW Pontiac Delegate, novelist, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Arthur J. Miller, coordinator, Northwest Leonard Peltier Support Network, IWW Tacoma Delegate, publisher of Bayou La Rose. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Those who are wanting to join this hunger strike please send us a message that should include a short statement of your organizational background. Please send your message to: The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 U$A 785-842-5774 < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Northwest Leonard Peltier Support Network- Tacoma Office P.O. Box 5464 Tacoma, WA 98415-0464 USA < [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
