Forwarded message:
LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE
P.O. Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
Tel: 785-842-5774
E-mail: lpdc@idir.net
Web: www.freepeltier.org
- Wednesday, 31 May 2000 -
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AFTER 24 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT, LEONARD PELTIER WILL BE REVIEWED FOR PAROLE
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Contact:
The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee: Gina Chiala, co-coordinator 785-842-5774
What: Press Conference
When: June 12, 2000 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Leavenworth, Kansas: The Lincoln Room of the Ramada Inn (3rd and
Delaware)
Who: Former US Attorney General, Ramsey Clark; Attorney Carl Nadler;
Attorney and Renowned Human Rights Advocate, Jennifer Harbury; Amnesty
International USA Director, Curt Goering; LPDC Spokesperson, Jean Day;
Leonard Peltier's grandchildren, Alexandra and Cyrus Peltier, and
representatives for the National Council
of Churches, the Assembly of First Nations, and the National Congress of
American Indians.
Why: Native American Leonard Peltier will be reviewed for parole on June 12
at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Amnesty International, who considers
Peltier to be a political prisoner, will attend the hearing in person to
ask the Commission to set Leonard Peltier free. The National Council of
Churches, the National Congress of American Indians, the Assembly of First
Nations, and Peltier's family will also be asking the Parole Commission for
Leonard Peltier's release.
Peltier underwent his first full parole hearing in 1993, at which point the
Parole Commission denied his release far beyond what their guidelines
recommend, and set his next full hearing for the year 2008. However, the
Commission is required to hold subsequent hearings every two years in order
to determine whether there are any circumstances that warrant a change in
their original decision. On June 12, Peltier's attorneys will tell the
Commission that there is no justifiable reason to continue Peltier's
sentence, and the Commission's original decision to deny him parole was
based on error.
The Parole Commission originally denied Peltier parole based on their
finding that he "participated in the premeditated and cold blooded
execution of those two officers." However, the Parole Commission has since
said it "recognizes that the prosecution has conceded the lack of any
direct evidence that [Peltier] personally participated in the executions of
the two FBI agents." Leonard Peltier, who has served over 24 years of his
sentence and has maintained a good behavior record during his
incarceration, has been eligible for release for over nine years.
Thousands have written to the Commission in support of Peltier's release.
Additionally, several Native organizations and communities are submitting
parole plans offering Peltier work and housing. On June 12, a parole
examiner will hear the case and make an initial recommendation as to
whether or not the Parole Commission should grant Mr. Peltier a date to be
released. Thousands will await the results.
Call the White House Comments Line Today!
Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier!
202-456-1111
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