Text 10370, 101 rader
Skriven 2010-09-13 00:13:45 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
Ärende: Birthday message from Leonard Peltier who turned 66 Sept.12th ...
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Sisters, brothers, friends and supporters,
 
I wish I could sit across the table from each of you right now. We'd share a
meal and reflect on changes in this world over these 35 or so years. Yes, I pay
attention to things on the outside (as much as possible). I know the world is
in turmoil and I ache for the Native people who languish in utter poverty on
reservations and in inner cities across America. 
 
As a young man, all I wanted to do was make a positive difference in the
People's lives. I'll turn 66 years old next week and I still want that. It's
difficult to have an impact in my current circumstances, though. That's a
constant source of frustration for me. On the outside, given the chance to roll
up my sleeves once again, I suspect I'd still be somewhat frustrated. All that
must be done is more than any one person can accomplish. I'd still like the
opportunity to do my part.
 
Thinking back to those days on Pine Ridge, what I remember is the funerals.
There were so many funerals... So many families lost loved ones.
 
There was a powerful force at work on the reservation back then, one with a
single purpose: to stamp out the last resistance of the Lakota people. 
 
We (the Oglala traditionals and members of the American Indian Movement) stood
up because we were trying to defend our People. It was the right thing to do.
We had - have - the right to survive. 
 
The land was being stolen, too - used for mining mostly. No thought was given
to the disposal of toxic waste. The rivers were full of poisons. Not much has
changed, I hear.
 
In those days, though, the reservation was torn apart by a tribal dispute and
the federal government armed one group against another. The result was a long
line of tragedies for the People of Pine Ridge - and for the People who were
there that day in June 1975.
 
I honestly understand the pain and anguish suffered by all concerned and I have
been part of that suffering. 
 
I have watched people lie on the witness stand countless times and felt the
doors closing on me. 
 
I have heard judges admonish prosecutors for allowing false evidence in and, in
some cases, for participating in the falsification itself. 
 
The government hid evidence, too. 
 
Or manufactured it. Literally.
 
The courts say none of this is even in dispute anymore. So I wonder, if the
American standard of justice is still "beyond a reasonable doubt", why am I
still here? 
 
Some people have had their convictions overturned because of one constitutional
violation. The number of constitutional violations in my case is staggering.
Yet, I continue to wait here for the same justice to be applied for me.
 
I hope that someday someone can put it all on the table and show the enormity
of the railroading I have been victimized by.
 
Last year, as you know, my parole was denied. That was a disappointment, but I
am not defeated. My fight for freedom - for my People and myself - is not over.
I am a pipe carrier and a Sundancer. Abandoning The Struggle is not - never
will be - a consideration. 
 
I am an Indian man and proud of it. I love my People and culture and spiritual
beliefs. My enemies like to suggest otherwise and seek to rob me of all
dignity. They won't succeed. 
 
When I look back over all the years, I remember all the good people who have
stood up for me, for a day or a decade. Of course, many have stayed with me all
along the way. I think of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world
who have signed petitions for me, too... people on the poorest of reservations
to the highest of political offices.
 
As we have learned over these many years, my freedom won't come quickly or
easily. To succeed, the coming battle will have to be hard fought. Please
continue to help my Committee and legal team as you have always done. Your
support is more important now than ever before. When freedom comes, it will be
due in no small part to the actions you take on my behalf. 
 
Doksha,
 
 
Leonard Peltier
 
#89637-132
USP-Lewisburg
US Penitentiary
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg, PA 17837
 
Launched into cyberspace by the
Leonard Peltier Defence Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: 701/235-2206 Fax: 701/235-5045
E-mail: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info   
 
Visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info  

--- D'Bridge 3.54
 * Origin: Many Glacier -- Protect - Preserve - Recycle (2:292/854)