EMERGENCY!
Once again Leonard's protections from CRUEL AND UNUSUAL treatment afforded by the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION are being violated! Please contact: Senator John Ossoff
https://www.ossoff.senate.gov
Senator Dick Durbin
https://www.durbin.senate.gov
Demand and end to the Lockdowns!
https://www.ossoff.senate.gov
Senator Dick Durbin
https://www.durbin.senate.gov
Demand and end to the Lockdowns!
About the Ad Hoc Committee
The Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee came into existence at the behest of Mr. Leonard Peltier as a response to the highjacking of his previous organization, The International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (ILPDC). This is a very unfortunate situation and one that Mr. Peltier sought to avoid but his demands for accountability were ignored by the ILPDC and he had no other choice but to severe ties with them and form a new committee that would have his best interests at heart. Above the title of this post is a statement by Leonard Peltier in audio format along with a written transcription below. Following that is a letter from the Interim Director of the Ad Hoc Committee, David Hill. We urge you to inform yourselves about this most unfortunate and troubling episode in Leonard Peltier's struggle for justice.
Leonard Peltier's Statement regarding the ILPDC
Okay, well listen, I want to, I want to mention to everybody that right now I am having problems with the past director and staff of the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee [ILPDC] . They are no longer authorized to raise funds in my name. I started the Ad Hoc committee which is to do all of the organizing and fundraising and everything. They [the ILPDC] are not being ….accountable, they are raising money and they’re not accountable! We don’t know what they are spending it on, and right now I am probably going to have to take them to court to get that committee back, but until we officially make an announcement that we have it under control again, please don’t donate…money to them. But you can donate to the Ad Hoc committee because I had lawyers obtain [ I have obtained lawyers] and I need that. That’s where the funds are going [from the Ad Hoc Committee] and we are exposing the case to a level that no one….has heard about…but we know in the Indian World, these are the type of trials that we have always had and we have a lot of evidence and officials that were involved in this who have come forward, whistle blowers, and… everything I’ve said for 47 years……they’ve got evidence that everything we said is accurate. Thank You
Letter from David Hill regarding the ILPDC
Hilee tow,
Greetings from the International Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee (Ad Hoc Committee). In defense of the Ad Hoc Committee, I want to say that most recently, Jean Roach, representing the group that has taken over the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (ILPDC), put out a statement accusing people of the Ad Hoc Committee of working with the federal government. I want to unequivocally state that is not true, and it is definitely counterproductive to the potential freedom of Leonard Peltier. Jean also made the statement that we were controlling Leonard Peltier’s thoughts, which is unequivocally not true as well. However, I do want to point out that in what she said, Jean basically acknowledges that we are in fact working directly with Leonard Peltier and she is not, nor is her ILPDC.
Leonard over the past year has told Jean and her entourage of partners that he did not want them to represent him any longer because they were misusing funds, having pot parties, and drinking, and basically supporters had seen them advertising their parties on their personal Facebook pages, especially Jean Roach. It is with deepest regret that I have to talk about these issues at a time when a man’s freedom is at stake and when every political opinion for his release is needed and is at stake.
In Jean’s statement, she also named off numerous accomplishments of the ILPDC, and while the accomplishments she mentioned were brought about, it was not by her but by members of the ILPDC over time. What Jean has done is go to places where Leonard Peltier has supporters already, gather up a group, do a photo op, collect money, and go smoke some marijuana, and quite often, brag about it on social media. This is counterproductive to support for Leonard and we have lost many supporters as a result of it. And she talks about calling people feds. The most noteworthy thing she has done since being involved with the ILPDC, is getting her sister released from federal prison, and since then she has done things that neutralized the efforts of the ILPDC and neutralized long-term supporters at times. And that is what she’s trying to do now.
This is the first time I have publicly spoken on this level about this particular issue. I myself have been called such names in the past, as well as probably every AIM leader and organizer that has done anything that is recognizable or noteworthy. And it’s the same with other organizations and individuals who are standing up for human and Indigenous rights all over the world – the enemy does its best to neutralize people. The most common thing I have noticed in human rights movements is that people who have made accusations about others, calling them informants or operatives, have had charges against themselves connected to drugs or other issues.
I have repeatedly said this over the years: we can fight amongst ourselves, with each other, when we run out of oppressors. And that has not happened yet. It probably won’t happen in our lifetimes. Every person that is willing to stand up and speak out is needed. Every person that stands up and speaks out for what is right needs a clear mind and clear thoughts. Every person who stands up and speaks out needs the trust and confidence of supporters. Every person that stands up and speaks out needs their level of integrity to be in place, even when no one is looking.
Leonard Peltier asked the people of the Ad Hoc Committee to form, and he personally selected each person for their abilities and past work. I myself have worked as an Interim Director five different times; each time Leonard would ask me to come aboard when he was having difficulties, and this time is no different. Over the last 47 years, we’ve come up against many difficulties and that is because we face the most powerful police force and powerful government in the world. And when I say “we” it is not the ILPDC of the past or the Ad Hoc Committee we have today that I speak of, but it is about Native people. Native people who have had to work together over generations from the past to now, to protect their resources. Today, Native people face an enemy that is just as deadly and divisive as the ones our ancestors faced, and we cannot afford to lose because our very environment is at risk today.
One of the things that makes Leonard Peltier’s case so different from others is that every piece of evidence used to convict him has been proven false in court, and his imprisonment affects the lives of every American citizen. He has consistently put forth environmental justice and human rights values with his case. He has encouraged people to stand strong for these values. He’s encouraged people to plant trees for the children of our future, the air of our future, and the soil of the future. He’s consistently encouraged people to put together programs for children at Christmas time and wintertime, and to create programs including clothing and propane donations to keep the elderly and other community members warm for the winter. And when someone comes along and uses his name to party, he becomes very incensed by that, as it challenges his values. And he has consistently told Jean to keep his name out of her mouth. And she has responded in the most negative sense, in such a way that I won’t even repeat here.
The objective of the legal team is not only to get him free, and in the meantime, to get him transferred to a lower security place so that as an elder he can have access to better care and treatment while awaiting his release, but also Leonard is very adamant about wanting to get back his name as the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. At present the ad hoc committee has an attorney who is working with other lawyers and members of a legal team on measures that will bring about his release.
And again, I want to reiterate Leonard’s words: do not send any money to the ILPDC because it does not represent him and it is not helping him. They’re using him to party. It’s a case of singing to the choir, collecting money, and taking credit for work other people are doing now and did in the past.
With the posting of this statement, I have no doubt that it will generate another tirade of negative accusations and unfounded name calling. I would encourage you, if you have any doubts to the truthfulness of my words, to contact Leonard Peltier yourself. He is of sound mind, though he does have some health issues. You can write to him here:
Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP Coleman 1
P.O. Box 1033
Coleman, FL 33521-1033
With respect to hearing accusations, which, without proof are just unfounded rumors, I would like to encourage you, if it causes you to doubt in some way, to do your own research about the accusations, and also research the person who made the accusations to find out what their motive is.
This has been one of my most difficult writings I have made in the movement. And I look forward to the time when we can all be on the same page as supporters of one another.
In the spirit of all those, down through the ages, who have stood for what was right and did their best to right what was wrong,
David Hill, Choctaw
Interim Director of the International Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee
Greetings from the International Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee (Ad Hoc Committee). In defense of the Ad Hoc Committee, I want to say that most recently, Jean Roach, representing the group that has taken over the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (ILPDC), put out a statement accusing people of the Ad Hoc Committee of working with the federal government. I want to unequivocally state that is not true, and it is definitely counterproductive to the potential freedom of Leonard Peltier. Jean also made the statement that we were controlling Leonard Peltier’s thoughts, which is unequivocally not true as well. However, I do want to point out that in what she said, Jean basically acknowledges that we are in fact working directly with Leonard Peltier and she is not, nor is her ILPDC.
Leonard over the past year has told Jean and her entourage of partners that he did not want them to represent him any longer because they were misusing funds, having pot parties, and drinking, and basically supporters had seen them advertising their parties on their personal Facebook pages, especially Jean Roach. It is with deepest regret that I have to talk about these issues at a time when a man’s freedom is at stake and when every political opinion for his release is needed and is at stake.
In Jean’s statement, she also named off numerous accomplishments of the ILPDC, and while the accomplishments she mentioned were brought about, it was not by her but by members of the ILPDC over time. What Jean has done is go to places where Leonard Peltier has supporters already, gather up a group, do a photo op, collect money, and go smoke some marijuana, and quite often, brag about it on social media. This is counterproductive to support for Leonard and we have lost many supporters as a result of it. And she talks about calling people feds. The most noteworthy thing she has done since being involved with the ILPDC, is getting her sister released from federal prison, and since then she has done things that neutralized the efforts of the ILPDC and neutralized long-term supporters at times. And that is what she’s trying to do now.
This is the first time I have publicly spoken on this level about this particular issue. I myself have been called such names in the past, as well as probably every AIM leader and organizer that has done anything that is recognizable or noteworthy. And it’s the same with other organizations and individuals who are standing up for human and Indigenous rights all over the world – the enemy does its best to neutralize people. The most common thing I have noticed in human rights movements is that people who have made accusations about others, calling them informants or operatives, have had charges against themselves connected to drugs or other issues.
I have repeatedly said this over the years: we can fight amongst ourselves, with each other, when we run out of oppressors. And that has not happened yet. It probably won’t happen in our lifetimes. Every person that is willing to stand up and speak out is needed. Every person that stands up and speaks out for what is right needs a clear mind and clear thoughts. Every person who stands up and speaks out needs the trust and confidence of supporters. Every person that stands up and speaks out needs their level of integrity to be in place, even when no one is looking.
Leonard Peltier asked the people of the Ad Hoc Committee to form, and he personally selected each person for their abilities and past work. I myself have worked as an Interim Director five different times; each time Leonard would ask me to come aboard when he was having difficulties, and this time is no different. Over the last 47 years, we’ve come up against many difficulties and that is because we face the most powerful police force and powerful government in the world. And when I say “we” it is not the ILPDC of the past or the Ad Hoc Committee we have today that I speak of, but it is about Native people. Native people who have had to work together over generations from the past to now, to protect their resources. Today, Native people face an enemy that is just as deadly and divisive as the ones our ancestors faced, and we cannot afford to lose because our very environment is at risk today.
One of the things that makes Leonard Peltier’s case so different from others is that every piece of evidence used to convict him has been proven false in court, and his imprisonment affects the lives of every American citizen. He has consistently put forth environmental justice and human rights values with his case. He has encouraged people to stand strong for these values. He’s encouraged people to plant trees for the children of our future, the air of our future, and the soil of the future. He’s consistently encouraged people to put together programs for children at Christmas time and wintertime, and to create programs including clothing and propane donations to keep the elderly and other community members warm for the winter. And when someone comes along and uses his name to party, he becomes very incensed by that, as it challenges his values. And he has consistently told Jean to keep his name out of her mouth. And she has responded in the most negative sense, in such a way that I won’t even repeat here.
The objective of the legal team is not only to get him free, and in the meantime, to get him transferred to a lower security place so that as an elder he can have access to better care and treatment while awaiting his release, but also Leonard is very adamant about wanting to get back his name as the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. At present the ad hoc committee has an attorney who is working with other lawyers and members of a legal team on measures that will bring about his release.
And again, I want to reiterate Leonard’s words: do not send any money to the ILPDC because it does not represent him and it is not helping him. They’re using him to party. It’s a case of singing to the choir, collecting money, and taking credit for work other people are doing now and did in the past.
With the posting of this statement, I have no doubt that it will generate another tirade of negative accusations and unfounded name calling. I would encourage you, if you have any doubts to the truthfulness of my words, to contact Leonard Peltier yourself. He is of sound mind, though he does have some health issues. You can write to him here:
Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP Coleman 1
P.O. Box 1033
Coleman, FL 33521-1033
With respect to hearing accusations, which, without proof are just unfounded rumors, I would like to encourage you, if it causes you to doubt in some way, to do your own research about the accusations, and also research the person who made the accusations to find out what their motive is.
This has been one of my most difficult writings I have made in the movement. And I look forward to the time when we can all be on the same page as supporters of one another.
In the spirit of all those, down through the ages, who have stood for what was right and did their best to right what was wrong,
David Hill, Choctaw
Interim Director of the International Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee
Above is a photo of Leonard Peltier and Dan Battaglia a few days before his 79th birthday. Leonard still possesses the Akicita spirit, the Spirit of Crazy Horse. After 47 years Leonard continues to fight for justice and to try to make the world a better place. This is the warrior that the ILPDC dismisses as an old manipulated man in need of their guidance. Read Leonard's statements and listen to his voice. These are not the words or voice of a weak old man who the ILPDC claims is incapable of managing his own funds.
Lenny Foster reads Leonard's 79th Birthday Statement.
Lenny Foster Leonard Peltier's spiritual advisor reads Leonard 79th birthday statement
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79th BIRTHDAY STATEMENT[1]©
LEONARD PELTIER
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
________________________________
Relatives, 79 years and who has won? We have won. Bars cannot contain our movement. They only have me, but they cannot contain a WE.
Because we are a unified Oyate
47 years. We have won. Yet we have only just begun.
I have to tell you the truth, I never thought it would go this far. I never did. But here we are. Take heart.
The world is watching.
Everything has been done to break my spirit. Every last shred of evidence used to convict me has been proven false. Because of this false evidence and unfair trial, even the International Criminal Court has noted the deep injustice of my case. Listen to me, my People, $55 million dollars in U.S. foreign aid to Canada was used by this government to coerce my extradition based on, not once, not twice, but four instances of completely fabricated and manufactured evidence extracted from a mentally ill woman. That is bribery, pure, and simple. And it goes to show you the value of a freedom fighter. Just like they tried to buy the Black Hills, they tried to buy me, too.
The trial was no better, riddled with racism by the presiding judge and the suppression of key evidence. Not to mention being separated from my co-defendants. I was placed on death row and in solitary confinement to coerce a false statement, which I refused to give. Just for defending myself and my people against a colonial state massacring and terrorizing my people. In 1976, I was protecting people from being murdered. There were over sixty people killed. The federal government will not investigate those murders because our killers, the GOON Squad, admitted that the FBI was supplying the weapons and ammunition used against us. A trail of bodies, that era tinged and stained in blood. Mass sterilizations of all genders were taking place. Our children kidnapped. Our language and right to bear arms, forbidden. This is nothing short of genocide. I will never forget. Colonization requires erasure: genocide, homicide, and extermination. They wanted nothing less than the extermination of our people. And, uranium. They wanted to force the mining on our reservation. Disrespecting the land, poisoning the waters, which still causes high rates of cancer. I stood in their way.
So, I will not apologize. I will not yield: my people are owed an apology. During my sentencing decades ago, I made this plain. I will not do it. Because every time I have been called upon by my people, I serve them body, heart, and spirit. It must be done just like that, you see.
I will not do it because there is Power is resistance and I have never given up. I won't start now either.
What is even more false, Brothers, Sisters, and Two Spirits, is that bars, barbed wire, and beatings, could ever defeat Justice. Today you have won, you are winning. When I see the gleam in our babies' eyes, I remember that we are winning. In the defense of the land, we are winning. In the protection of the waters, the womb of Mother Earth, we are winning. To protect our sacred ritual, we are winning.
There are good people who have come forward. Attorney General Ramsey Clark. Former Special Agent Jack Ryan, who said that no one had looked at the role the FBI played. It is time to look at what took place here on this soil, on this land, the same way the U.S. looks at the human rights abuses of its so-called enemies.
Former Special Agent Collen Rowley had the courage to come forward and say that I am being held because of an FBI vendetta. My good friends Paul and Virginia Berg were there. Paul has spent decades trying to tell people what the FBI was doing to us. It is time for someone to listen in the same way the U.S. urges its allies to consider the position of their foes.
Your presence is a gift this 79th birthday. Your protest, a unified Peace. In you, I plant a seed. Hand in hand, we will rise up: Rise up sovereign Nations and all peoples.
Join my Ad Hoc Committee. Because next year: 80 years, no fear! You see, that's what I mean because it's true, My Dears.
And here we are: outside of a house for all the people, built on stolen land and labor of some of them. It is true, and no amount of tip toeing around it will make it any different.
Do not turn back. All turn into one. The Spirit of history is on our side.
Look upon it now and know it is done. All Power to the People. Thank you for your support and solidarity. Miigweech
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier
[1] © Copyright Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee
TELL THE STORY OF LEONARD PELTIER
The Leonard Peltier Ad Hoc Committee is thrilled to announce the release of this new video about the life of Leonard Peltier , created by a group of his friends and supporters. This video is being released free of charge to all of Mr. Peltier's supporters. Please share it with your contacts and on your social media channels.
Leonard Peltier
Activist Artist Grandfather Political Prisoner
Indigenous Activist and American Indian Movement (AIM) leader Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned for almost five decades.
The details of his case are a shocking example of the abuses of power heaped upon the leaders of Indigenous, Black and other liberation movements by the United States Government. So extraordinary is his case that even prosecuting US Attorney James Reynolds, whose office worked with the FBI to put Leonard in prison, has urged for executive clemency and described Leonard Peltier's trial and subsequent incarceration as "unjust" in a letter urging President Biden to commute Leonard's sentence.
The Leonard Peltier Official Ad Hoc Committee exists to secure Leonard's release from Federal prison so that he can be with his family and community.
This committee is the only organization authorized by Mr. Peltier to act and raise funds on his behalf. Read more on our about page and listen to Leonard explain it in his own words here:
The details of his case are a shocking example of the abuses of power heaped upon the leaders of Indigenous, Black and other liberation movements by the United States Government. So extraordinary is his case that even prosecuting US Attorney James Reynolds, whose office worked with the FBI to put Leonard in prison, has urged for executive clemency and described Leonard Peltier's trial and subsequent incarceration as "unjust" in a letter urging President Biden to commute Leonard's sentence.
The Leonard Peltier Official Ad Hoc Committee exists to secure Leonard's release from Federal prison so that he can be with his family and community.
This committee is the only organization authorized by Mr. Peltier to act and raise funds on his behalf. Read more on our about page and listen to Leonard explain it in his own words here:
Join Our Action Network, Free Leonard Peltier Now!
Only one thing's sadder than remembering you were once free, and that's forgetting you were once free.
— Leonard Peltier |
