Forwarded message:
>From: "LPDC" <lpdc@idir.net>
>Subject: Peltier Statement and a note
>
>Dear friends,
>
>Below is Leonard Peltier's statement for the 25 year memorial and honoring
>at Oglala. We will be unable to answer emails until June 29. If you need
>to communicate with us, please send your messages after June 28th. Thank
>you.
>
>In Solidarity,
>LPDC
>
>June 26, 2000
>
>Greetings Friends and Supporters,
>
>Twenty-five years has passed since the fatal shoot-out on the Jumping Bull
>Ranch occurred, and for twenty-five years I have been forced away from my
>people and my home, which I consider Oglala to be. I miss being with all of
>you as I have always loved and respected the Lakota ways. I have always
>admired the Lakota people, especially the Oglalas for their strength,
>determination, and courage to continue the struggle to maintain our
>traditional ways and sovereignty. Not a single day passes when I do not
>dream of being home with you. Twenty-four years is a long time to be in
>prison, but if I was out and you were facing the same kind of brutality you
>faced under the Wilson regime, I would not hesitate to stand next to you and
>resist the violent oppression you were forced to endure.
>
>But I am not out, I remain locked up in here, and it has not been an easy 24
>years. Prison is a repulsive, violent place to exist in. But again, none
>of this could stop me from standing with you until the great Oglala Nation
>is free. I know a lot of problems continue to exist for you. Corrupt tribal
>government officials are still taking advantage of the people and crimes
>committed against Natives receive little if no priority. It makes me very
>sad to know that after everything we went through in the 1970's our people
>still continue to suffer so much. The memory of all of those who lost their
>lives during that time also continues to haunt me
>
>As we gather together during this time of remembrance, I am aware that the
>FBI has also organized a 25-year memorial for their dead agents. I do not
>fault them nor do I disagree with what they are doing. I think all people
>should gather in memorial for any of their fallen. But, when you analyze
>this whole event of theirs, you are slapped in the face with the cold
>reality of racism. Not once have they, nor will they mention our fallen
>warriors and innocent traditionalists slaughtered in the 70's after Wounded
>Knee II. They will not even as much as mention Joe Killsright Stuntz. We
>cannot even get an acknowledgement from them that they were wrong in
>supporting such a cruel and corrupt regime as Dick Wilson's. They continue
>to deny that any Indian people were killed as a result of their direct input
>with the terrorist squad, the GOONS. The fact is they do not think of
>Indian people as human beings. Whenever you deny that such atrocities
>happen, and we know they did happen, it only means they don't consider the
>people who died to be human. Hitler's regime felt the same about the Jews.
>
>But please don't misunderstand my frustration for a lack of sympathy about
>the loss of the agents' lives. I do feel for the families of the agents
>because I know first hand what it is like to lose a loved one. I have lost
>many loved ones through the years due to senseless violent acts. If I had
>known what was going on that day, and I could have stopped it, I would have.
>
>But in order for us to bring reconciliation to what was a very difficult
>time we first must have justice. We must continue to ask when the lives of
>our people will be given the same respect and value as others. When will
>they stop carelessly locking up our people without applying the scrutiny and
>care the judicial system is supposed to guarantee? When will guilty beyond
>a reasonable doubt become a standard that applies to us? When will our
>guilt have to be proven, rather than assumed? We suffer equally, but we are
>not treated equally. There is hope for a better future and for peace. But
>in order for us to live in peace, we must be able to live in dignity and
>without fear.
>
>In closing, I want to say that your voices are important and your
>involvement in the effort to gain my freedom is crucial. You know the truth
>and only you can express the reality of those brutal times. It is also
>important that you explain to the youth what we stood for and why, because
>they are our hope for the future. They can carry out our dream for our
>people to have pride in their culture, good schools, food, and health care,
>and most importantly, justice. Please know that I continue to be here for
>you too, although I am limited in what I can do from behind these walls.
>However, I will continue help in whatever I can from here. The one thing my
>situation has brought me at least, is a voice, and my voice is your voice.
>So please do not hesitate to write me or contact the LPDC to inform me of
>what is going on.
>
>I am growing older now and my body is beginning to deteriorate. I sometimes
>wonder just how much longer I will be with you all on Mother earth. I hope
>that it'll be a while longer because I long to be with you, my family and
>friends, to share some time together. If not, and I don't make it home to
>you, I will always be with you in spirit, at every Sun Dance and Inipi
>Ceremony, remembering both the happy and the painful times we shared.
>
>In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
>
>Leonard Peltier
>
>Call the White House Comments Line Today
>Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier! 202-456-1111
>
>Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
>PO Box 583
>Lawrence, KS 66044
>785-842-5774
>www.freepeltier.org
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