Sign Leonard's E-card before Thursday September 8th
Date: 9/2/2005 1:52:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: paulaostrovsky@hotmail.com
From: International Peltier Forum <kolahq@skynet.be> Reply-To: kolahq@skynet.be To: IPF <peltierforum@topica.com> Subject: [LP Forum News] Send your birthday wishes to Leonard online... Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 13:44:46 +0200
=+=+= INTERNATIONAL FORUM of VIPs for PELTIER =+=+= September 1st 2005 : 10800 days of WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT! =+=+=+=+=+= ONLINE PETITION FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY [1]http://users.skynet.be/kola/lppet.htm ONLINE 61st BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR LEONARD... [2]http://users.skynet.be/kola/lpbd2005.htm =+=+=+=+=+=
Dear Peltier supporters & friends, At the request of the LPDC, this year, we are once more setting up an online birthday card for Leonard Peltier. His 61st birthday is on Monday, September 12th. Of course, we are encouraging people worldwide to send real "paper" postcards too. You know from experience how much fun it is to receive a nice B.D. card from friends and family! :-) (Leonard's address is at the bottom of this message) But the online card signed simultaneously by hundreds of people from all across the world, which we sent Leonard last year, also really lifted his spirits. This year, however, we're a little late. We only have one week for you to sign the online card. On Friday, September 9th, we will print it out and send it by regular "paper" mail, so Leonard will receive it on Monday.
Note: your messages wil not appear immediately on the webpage. We want to avoid nasty messages from certain individuals who do not mean so well. Your messages will arrive in our emailbox, and will add them to the webpage manually (once or twice a day). We will also send you an email when your message has been added to the page.
Come on, folks... let's create an avalanche of B.D. greetings !!! Thank you for your continuous support, Els Herten & Vivienne Westwood, IPF Paula Ostrovsky-Redner, LPDC ---- Leonard's address: Leonard Peltier #89637-132 USP Lewisburg P.O. Box 1000 Lewisburg, PA 17837 USA Online Birthday card greetings: [4]http://users.skynet.be/kola/lpbd2005.htm
For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit: [7]http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER ------------------------------------------------------------------
Article against Leonard in Smoke Signals Newspaper!
The latest attack against Leonard is again coming from Indian Country and the strategy and style are too reminiscent of Paul DeMain's. Judge for yourselves (you can find it at http://grandronde.org/PR/past_articles/2005/0815/peltier.htm and if you feel so inspired, I encourage you to respond. Below is the response letter by long time supporter David Givers:
August 30, 2005
Dear Editors,
Ron Kartens description of the trial of Leonard Peltier leaves out an important perspective. Someone like me who was in the court room for the entire trial.
In 1976, I had never heard of Leonard Peltier nor gave very much attention to media coverage of the shoot out in which FBI agents Williams and Coler were killed. Shortly before the Peltier trial started in Fargo, some Indian women, with children in hand, knocked on my door asking for help to find housing in our neighborhood. It was a random event that led me to attend the trial. They were part of the Peltier legal defense team that was coming to Fargo to help defend Mr. Peltier.
The women came back after we helped them and I heard from them accusations against the FBI, and the courts, that I simply could not believe at the time. I am someone who believes that the the right to a fair trial is deeply embedded in our freedoms, is guaranteed by our Constitution, and that our system of law should always pursue the truth. I felt an obligation to be a public spectator at the trial and to form my own conclusion. I was able to sit in the court room every day there were hearings in Fargo.
It took years of legal labor by the Peltier defense committee to uncover the evidence to convince Amnesty International that Leonard Peltier is a political prisoner and they did declare him a political prisoner. That evidence is contained in the FBI documents that have been forced into disclosure via the Freedom of Information Act. The best example of the many government lies that occurred in our court is the murder weapon alleged to have been used by Mr. Peltier. That day in court is indelibly etched in my memory. Agent Evan Hodge testified that the AR 15 linked directly to Leonard Peltier was the exact weapon used to kill Agents Williams and Coler. However, there was something wrong about that mans testimony. He was visibly nervous. As an FBI forensic expert, he undoubtedly provided expert testimony numerous times. He should have been impeccable in his composure and testimony. He simply was not. Shortly after leaving the witness stand, Prosecutor Lynn Crooks recalled Hodge back for rephrasing. That was the coverup designed to prevent future perjury charges.
That fact is that the so called murder weapon tested by Agent Hodge did not match the ballistic evidence. That weapon, alleged by the government used by Leonard Peltier, did not kill the agents. This truth was discovered years later through the Freedom of Information Act. However, Mr. Crooks paraded that weapon all around the court room many times stating how Mr. Peltier at point blank range cold bloodedly killed the agents. That is another lie and it undoubtedly had an indelible impact on the jury.
Of course this is not just my belief or accusation. It is an actual appeals court ruling. In November 2003, the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that Much of the governments behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed."
Virtually every time the defense challenged the government, and every attempt the defense made to present its own case, Judge Paul Benson had the jury removed from the court room. The jury never heard the defense. I saw this happen. No wonder the jury convicted. It is a false conviction because of false testimony by the government, and use of false and intimidated witnesses.
Please re read the findings by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. I dont know how you feel about our court system, but when we allow our officials to falsely imprison through suppression of the truth and repression of witnesses, then you and I have let our Constitution and Bill of Rights become meaningless pieces of paper and not a sacred agreement between we the people and our elected and appointed officials.
Yet Leonard Peltier remains in prison because he is a political prisoner. He is in prison because the unwritten rule is that when a law man goes down, someone pays the price with prison or death. At the time of the trial, there were no other persons to charge with the killings. Thus, Mr. Peltier had to pay the price no matter what the cost has been to the integrity of our courts and the sacred honor of our Constitution.
There is a question that remains unanswered by Mr. Kartens article. If the FBI had all these witnesses and informants when the trial was going on, why didnt they produce them? Suddenly they are once again falling silently and anonymously like Autumn leaves to confess that they know Leonard is guilty. The lies must continue to protect themselves and to prejudice the parole board and the general public, who in your story, are Grand Ronde people.
Many years have passed and it is long past time to heal these wounds. Mr. Peltier must be released from prison. As for the individuals who perpetrated this injustice and created a political prisoner, they have to live with their own guilty consciences. I bear them no grudge. I simply want the honor of our Constitution, with the right to a fair trial, restored through the release of Leonard Peltier. Hay hombres que luchan un dia y son buenos, hay otros que luchan muchos anios y son mejores, pero hay los que luchan toda la vida y esos son los indispensables. Bertolt Brecht
Subj: Birthday Wishes for Leonard Date: 9/1/2005 3:55:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: paulaostrovsky@hotmail.com
Dear friends, supporters, and allies of Leonard Peltier,
Monday, September 12th, 2005 will be Leonard's 61st birthday. Please send him a card, drop him a note, to wish him a good birthday.
His new address is: Leonard Peltier # 89637-132 USP LEWISBURG U.S. PENITENTIARY P.O. BOX 1000 LEWISBURG, PA 17837 USA
He has told us that he has enough money in his inmate account to buy the necessary items at the comisary and for his art supplies. However he wishes that if you still want to give him a gift, that you do so by sending a donation to the LPDC (c/o Toni Zeidan, 2626 N. Mesa #132, El Paso, Texas) as he wants his office re-established close to where he is as soon as possible. If each of us commits to sending five dollars every month, we can move the office, get established in the Lewisburg area, and sustain the campaign he deserves to obtain his freedom. What a gift that would be!
Subj: Spiritual Campaign for Leonard's Release Date: 9/1/2005 3:58:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: paulaostrovsky@hotmail.com
People of all faiths and tribes around the world will be praying for our brother's release every Monday at 6PM EST until we are victorious. This idea was proposed by Dancing Turtle (aka Keya), one of Leonard's unwavering supporters. The new team at the LPDC wholeheartedly supports this initiative. We are trying to do things differently. Since so many of our past endeavors have only met resistance from the man-made system and laws imposed on the indigenous people of this country, we humbly turn to the original instructions, the most powerful realm, where lies, deceit, violence, and cruelty are always on the losing team.
We ask you to do the same, whether your prayers, chants, or meditations go to Tunkasila, Allah, God, Buddha, or the Cosmos. The power of our spirits together will unlock doors that those who oppose us can never fathom opened.
May your prayers to end Leonard's suffering bring his freedom and blessings in your lives.
Dear friends, allies and supporters of Leonard Peltier,
We have had a myriad of complications since Leonard was moved from Leavenworth June 30th 2005, and we took charge of his Defense Committee, it is obvious that there are forces who want to see Leonard's Committe stopped, defunct.
We are slowly overcoming every obstacle with very few means but with all our faith and commitment, and immensely appreciate that you still support and care for our beloved warrior. He has gone through some most challenging experiences in the past few months and needs us more than ever. In case you have not received our recent updates through other means, or have not had a chance to look at our official website (at [1]http://leonardpeltier.org ) I am sending them to you. This e-mail contains: Leonard's letter from solitary confinement at USP Terre Haute (where he spent six weeks), his most recent letter from USP Lewisburg, and the subsequent note from our Director.
Please stay in touch. Feel free to e-mail me at [2]paulaostrovsky@hotmail.com if you have any questions or input regarding our efforts.
With all my respect,
Paula Ostrovsky
LPDC Media/PR
July 30, 2005
Aho my relations,
As I sit here in my solitary confinement cell at USP Terre Haute, and reflect over the past months events, I cant help but feel an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude for each and every one of you who have so diligently stood by me in this time of crisis. As you already know by now, on June 30, 2005, I was transferred from Leavenworth Facility, to Terre Haute USP. The reason for my transfer, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Administrative staff was that the Leavenworth Facility was downgraded from maximum security level to medium, and therefore I could not remain at Leavenworth due to my illegal sentencing and consequent maximum security rank. I was transferred without notification to my attorney, Barry Bachrach, and my family. Upon my arrival to Terre Haute I was placed in solitary confinement and was told that I would remain in solitary confinement until my personal file arrived. My personal file arrived, but I remain in solitary confinement allegedly for security reasons. I am confined to a cell that is 8X 8, it has a window that is covered from the outside with an elaborate shield that allows me to see 2-3 inches of the sky out of the top and 2-3 inches of the ground. All prisoners are supposed to get at least one hour of sunlight or outdoors and so I am taken from my cell to what is called a Recreation Room (Rec Cage), and the only sun or outdoors that I see is from some windows high up in this large room with a few air holes in them. I am able to walk up and down and this fulfills the one hour of sunlight or outdoors recreation time.
Whatever the systems logic is, it seems that I wont stay in Terre Haute for much longer and will be transferred again. I do not know when and where, nor do I know if this cruel game will be over after another transfer. After all, removal and relocation have been used to break our people from the beginning of this countrys history. This keeps my Defense Committee from taking the necessary steps to re-establish an office, but they are doing everything they can to help me in this most precarious and uncertain situation.
Before this situation developed, I asked Russ Redner to be the National/International Executive Director of the LPDC. Russ is a brother from our original Northwest AIM crew, a long time ally, and one of the original founders of the LPDC. I have trusted Russ with my life many times and hes proven himself at every turn. I want him to be the last person I ever have to ask to guide the LPDC, and as such I have given him full authority to do whatever is necessary to prevent problems that have plagued us in the past from ever surfacing again. He and his wife, Paula, bring a renewed energy to the LPDC. It is essential that Russ, Barry Bachrach, Mike Kuzma, and the new team at the LPDC be supported so they can work most effectively to achieve my freedom and accomplish the things that need to be done for my people. I have confidence that all of you who truly support me will extend your vote of confidence to Russ and my new team.
A month in solitary is beginning to take a toll on me but your letters give me much hope and encouragement. Many of you have written, e-mailed and called USP Terre Haute, and other organizations. This has brought some improvement to my solitary confinement. I am now getting my medications on a daily basis, I can write out, I am receiving my mail, and I am allowed one phone call a month. I am allowed contact visits for those persons authorized on my visiting list. The contact visit is restricted to a two hour period, and is conducted through a glass pane and a phone. I am allowed to visit with my attorney without those restrictions.
At this time I am asking that you continue to call/write/e-mail the appropriate authorities requesting that my security level be downgraded to medium due to my health, age and good behavior and that I be transferred to a medium security institution with all my hard earned prisoner privileges restored. In case I am transferred please add the new facility (keep checking our official website: http://www.leonardpeltier.org) to your contact list and ask them to respect my human rights and prisoner privileges. Again, I thank you for your support and prayers and hope that I may one day soon be among you.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Leonard Peltier
LEONARD HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO USP LEWISBURG
August 15, 2005
Aho My Relations,
On August 15, 2005 I was transferred to USP Lewisburg in Pennsylvania. Life has been extra difficult for me since I was transferred from Leavenworth. This system is designed to make one feel very powerless, and what they are doing with me now is definitely aimed to erode my body and spirit even more. My loved ones, and all of you, my friends and allies who continue to support me, keep me sane and hopeful.
They say that it is in times of crisis that one can really see who your real allies are. Those of you who have contacted the Terre Haute Prison and the Bureau of Prisons on my behalf, keep me in your prayers, and are supporting my Defense Committee, have made an enormous difference in my situation. I humbly thank each and every one of you, and firmly believe that your actions most certainly saved my life and prevented me from living in an institution that is well known for its extremely high crime and violence. Also, health problems continue to plague me and the conditions I was subjected to exacerbated them. I know deep within my heart, that if there had not been such an outpouring of support, concern and overall outcry regarding my arbitrary detention, I would have probably stayed in solitary confinement for an indefinite length of time, or worse I would not have survived in the general prisoner population. Although I have been forced to endure many hardships, I will never surrender, even if all that is left of me is my spirit. Your love and support inspire me to overcome everything.
I hope that here at Lewisburg I will be able to resume living in the general population, practicing the traditional ways and continuing with my artwork. My defense team is preparing to go through some major milestones. They need your support more than ever to re-establish our office and prepare for upcoming reviews and legal battles. Since Russ Redner, Paula Ostrovsky, and Toni Zeidan do not want to accept any salaries or remuneration of any kind, all of your donations will go directly to the office transfer and upcoming campaign.
I again want to express my sincere appreciation and tell you once more that without you I am not sure I could have survived this last month. Every day I think about and pray for a time when I will be among you, shoulder to shoulder, fighting for justice for my people and our Mother Earth.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
Leonard Peltier
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
August 19, 2005
Dear friends, family, and allies of Leonard Peltier,
I talked to Leonard today and he informed me that he is in the general prisoner population, not in a box!!!!! He sounded very good and upbeat considering that he just finished six weeks of tortuous solitary confinement. He shared he almost didnt make it this time and that he is so very thankful for your support. He added that you dont need to contact the prison anymore as it seems he will have all his hard earned prisoner rights reinstated, hed rather you all save your energy for the next hurdle about which we will inform you shortly. Keep checking in at our official website at [3]http://www.leonardpeltier.org for updates and new information.
Also please continue writing to Leonard but be mindful of his situation and respectful of his personal affairs.
Leonard Peltier # 89637-132 USP LEWISBURG U.S. PENITENTIARY P.O. BOX 1000 LEWISBURG, PA 17837
Hay hombres que luchan un dia y son buenos, hay otros que luchan muchos anios y son mejores, pero hay los que luchan toda la vida y esos son los indispensables.
