www.workers.org/2009/us/leonard_peltier_0709/

Leonard Peltier demands his freedom

By Judy Greenspan
San Francisco
Published Jul 2, 2009


A press conference and vigil were held at the downtown federal building June 26 to support Leonard Peltier and his upcoming parole effort on July 28. Supporters are being asked to write letters on behalf of Peltier, a leader of the American Indian Movement and one of the longest-held political prisoners in the U.S.

 
Supporters of Leonard Peltier rally in front of San Francisco Federal Building. (Kathy Peltier, center) - WW photo: Judy Greenspan


The press conference marked the 34th anniversary of the attack by FBI agents and other police on Oglala-Lakota Native American activists on Pine Ridge Reservation. On June 26, 1975, two FBI agents were shot and killed during a shoot-out and Peltier was charged with their murders. Despite the absence of eyewitnesses and any evidence proving Peltier's involvement in the shootings, this Native American leader was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison.

The press conference was attended by Peltier's daughter, Kathy Peltier, who urged everyone to continue to support her father's parole bid for freedom. Tony Gonzales and Sampson Wolfe, two local Native American leaders of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, also spoke.

A short statement by Peltier was read at the press conference, which stated in part: "I am not a philosopher or poet or a singer or any of those things that particularly inspire people, but the one thing that I am is the evidence that this country lied when they said there was justice for all. I am the evidence that the attitude, the powers that be still hold us in a grip.

"They hold us in an emotional grip. They hold us in a poverty grip. They hold us in a cultural deprivation grip. And we as a people are the evidence that this country fails to keep its treaties, this country fails to keep its word. This country has failed to follow its own Constitution - the treaty between the people and the government. We are that evidence." Peltier's full statement can be read at http://freepeltiernow.blogspot.com/2009.

KOLA Note: or on this blog here

During his more than 33 years of incarceration, Peltier has continued to speak out in support of Native peoples' rights. He has won international acclaim and support for his tireless activism on behalf of human rights for Indigenous peoples. Peltier is an internationally acclaimed writer and artist. In 2004, Leonard Peltier ran for U.S. president on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.

Letters supporting Peltier's parole effort should be addressed to the U.S. Parole Commission, 5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 420, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286. Your letter must reference Peltier's prison number, 20815-7286.

Free Leonard Peltier!


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Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:16:33 -0400
From: "Luis Morago - Avaaz.org" avaaz@avaaz.org
Subject: Nuclear weapons: the only solution


Dear friends,


The only real solution to the proliferation crisis is the elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide. Sign the petition calling for global zero and bring a powerful democratic voice to the US-Russia summit next week::

Whether in the Korean peninsula, in unstable Pakistan, or in the volatile Middle East, the risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily. Yet one of the most real chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening and will be won or lost far from the headlines.

Next week in Moscow, Presidents Medvedev and Obama could make history by agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals and set the world´s course towards a nuclear-free world. A group of highly influential figures (1) called Global Zero has presented a four-step plan to achieve that goal and, though it seems incredible, they are successfully persuading the nuclear powers that the world is more secure without nukes.

What's needed now is a massive surge of people power urging the US and Russia to take these bold steps to achieve global zero. Click below to sign the petition and help deliver a deafening call to action. Global Zero leaders will hand it over to Presidents Obama and Medvedev:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

For decades the disarmament movement has sought to rid the planet of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, the efforts of citizens across the world played a key role in curbing the nuclear arms race, helping prevent nuclear war. But all too often their goal has been regarded as utopian and improbable.

Now, an alliance of the sound advice of security experts and the democratic force of citizens worldwide has a realistic possibility of achieving this goal.

Last April, Obama and Medvedev said they were committed to a world free of nuclear weapons. But it will require a massive concerted effort to press them to turn rhetoric into action.

In the face of a deepening crisis, the summit next week is a tremendous opportunity for human progress. Let's pile on the pressure to seize it.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero


With hope,
Luis, Alice, Ricken, Pascal, Paula, Graziela, Paul, Brett, Milena, Ben, Margaret, Raluca, Alice W, Raj and the whole Avaaz team.


(1) Global Zero includes former heads of state, such as Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev, former foreign and defence ministers, national security advisors, and former top military commanders. More information at: http://www.globalzero.org/en/about-campaign


Sources:

* IAEA Chief Warns Of Possible New Wave Of Nuclear Proliferation - www.avaaz.org/nuclear_proliferation
* Global Zero offers plan to eliminate nukes by 2030, AP, 29 June 2009: www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSWX9EdJu8HH4xpD5AdAlSCkR_ewD994J2Q00  * Putin Talks of Giving Up Nukes, The Moscow Times, 11 june 2009: www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/378483.htm 
* Alert level raised on North Korea, BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8071175.stm 
* Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today: www.avaaz.org/the_times_nukes 

Full Global Zero Action Plan available at:
www.globalzero.org/en/global-zero-press-release-june-29 

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