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Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the July 20, 2000
issue of Workers World newspaper
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PELTIER SUPPORTERS CHALLENGE FBI TO DEBATE
By Greg Butterfield
Supporters of Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier
have challenged FBI Director Louis Freeh to a nationally
televised debate.
The challenge by the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
came after Freeh issued a statement opposing Peltier's
freedom on June 26, the 25th anniversary of a shoot-out at
Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Other FBI bigwigs took to the airwaves to denounce Peltier
and make racist remarks about the American Indian Movement.
Two FBI agents and one AIM warrior died in the 1975 shoot-
out. Peltier was convicted of killing the FBI agents and
sentenced to consecutive life sentences, even though there
was no physical evidence linking him to the shootings.
Years later, the U.S. prosecutor admitted "we cannot prove
who shot those agents."
Yet Peltier, who is in failing health and maintains his
innocence, remains behind bars in federal prison in
Leavenworth, Kan.
A FBI smear campaign that included full-page ads in major
newspapers contributed to Peltier being denied parole at a
June 12 hearing.
On the shoot-out anniversary, AIM members and Pine Ridge
community members gathered at the site to remember Joseph
Killsright Stuntz, the AIM warrior who died. No one was
ever charged, much less convicted, for Stuntz's death.
In fact, the LPDC charges, the FBI ignored 64 killings of
AIM members and supporters on the reservation between 1973-
1976. Many activists believe that these were victims of the
government's COINTELPRO terror campaign, which also
targeted the Black Panther Party and other revolutionary
movements.
Dozens of local residents signed a petition to Freeh. It
said in part, "We strongly protest the existing double
standard, which allows the ruthless murders of our family
members to remain without investigation while Mr. Peltier
remains behind bars after 24 years, despite the total lack
of evidence against him."
The LPDC urges supporters to write letters to Freeh
demanding that he take part in the debate. Send letters to:
FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, 601 4th Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20535-0002.
- END -
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