May 18, 2008
Greetings. We hope this message finds you well and in good spirits.
As many of you already know, due to recent circumstances beyond his control, Leonard Peltier has had no choice but to dissolve the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. However, you should also know that Leonard's family has no intention of letting this occurrence prevent us from continuing our efforts on Leonard's behalf. Rather
than being defeated, this occurrence has strengthened our – and his -- resolve.
Today, we are very happy to officially announce that a new support organization has been established for Leonard -- the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LPDOC), incorporated in the State of North Dakota. Details about the LPDOC will be released in the days and weeks ahead. We encourage you to often visit our Web site at
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info for all the latest information.
Supporters beware! The LPDOC is the only organization authorized to raise funds, by any means, for Leonard's legal defense and freedom campaign. Former Peltier resources -- web site addresses such as freepeltier.org, leonardpeltier.org, leonardpeltier.net, etc.,
selected MySpace pages, and the Freedom Walk at www.freedomwalk.com are no longer affiliated with Leonard Peltier or his network of family, friends and other supporters; and in no way do these Internet resources represent Leonard's views or contribute to Leonard's freedom campaign -- financially or otherwise. We request that you
immediately link instead to http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info, as well as delete the Freedom Walk widget from your Web sites, blogs, and MySpace and Facebook pages.
All unpleasantness aside, as we make this new beginning, we hope you will recommit to the struggle and continue to walk with Leonard towards freedom. Join with us to bring Leonard home.
Please make note of and circulate the LPDOC's contact information:
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LPDOC)
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: 701/235-2206
E-mail: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Web: http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
If you or others wish to receive e-mail updates from the LPDOC,
please visit our home page at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
and enter your e-mail address in the "Receive Updates" text box
provided on the right sidebar. Please be patient as the program
adds your contact information to our listserv.
Oh, and we have another reason to celebrate today. For the fifth
consecutive year, Leonard has been nominated for the Nobel Peace
Prize! You can read the press release at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/mediarelease20080518.htm.
At the Nobel Prize committee's request, we ask that you NOT write
letters in support of the nomination. The recipient of the 2008
Nobel Peace Prize will be announced later this year.
Sincerely,
Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, Coordinator
A MESSAGE FROM LEONARD PELTIER
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, Friends, and Supporters.
I have sad news. A long time friend and Elder from the Lakota Oglala Nation, Ellen Moves Camp, has passed on. Those of us who really knew her will dearly miss her as she was a big inspiration to all of us. She loved and fought for her People and the Nation without ever once that I know of complaining or asking for something for her personal use. She had good reason to fight against Dick Wilson and the corrupt government regime. She lost family members at the Wounded Knee massacre. Then in Wounded Knee in 1973, they killed her nephew Buddy Lamont. So, for now, I will say this to you,
Auntie Ellen... Soon I too will pass on. Remember me when I arrive wherever you're going, as I want to go there, too. Take care.
Well, the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LPDOC) has officially opened. We have an office and family members and friends have volunteered to go in and get files set up and the office arranged for all the important work that needs to be done. Wow, I feel so good about this. In particular, I feel so good because so many Indians have come to my aid. Unbelievable. Thank you. For the past two or three years, people have been telling me that Indians don't support me anymore. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for proving those people wrong.
And the non-Indian supporters... Without the help you've been giving, we would not be this far along. Thank you for your loyalty. I love you all, too.
Politically we are as strong as ever. We'll become stronger, too.
How about this election? People want a change. That is all there is to it. Some politically influential friends tell me that drastic change is coming that will surprise even me. But we can't let our guard down. We have to keep pushing for change... for our tribal
sovereignty and cultural survival... for Mother Earth.
I can't tell you how much it means to me that so many young people are standing up, speaking up for the People. Also for the country, the whole world. The Struggle will continue and, to older people like me, that means so much. Thank you for your sacrifice.
So, we have a new office, address, and phone number. We have a new Web site, too. Let's rebuild... 10 times stronger than we were in 2000. Instead of a million hits to our Web site a day, let's make it 10 million. (smile)
To the support groups out there... I know you're still there. Let's do this! I know we can.
I'm asking everyone to give their full support to my sister Betty Ann and my niece Kari Ann. I am certain they're in the office for no other reason than to win my freedom.
I'll sign up for a parole hearing soon. Keep in mind that according to the laws in 1976, when I was indicted, I am eligible for mandatory release after 30 years. Under those laws, consecutive sentences aggregate together. So, kolas, this means I have served my time!!! So soon, then... if we work together as a team and don't let anyone
distract us.
Take care.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse... Doksha (Later),
Leonard Peltier
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Congressional, religious, cultural and academic leaders urge Supreme Court to hear challenge to border wall
April 18, 2008
Contact(s) Joe Vickless, (202) 772-0237
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270
WASHINGTON – Fourteen members of the House of Representatives, including seven committee chairs, have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Defenders of Wildlife and The Sierra Club’s arguments that the waiver authority granted to the Bush administration under the REAL ID Act is unconstitutional, and that this case should be heard by the Supreme Court.
“The reality of the scope of power that the last Congress handed to the Bush administration under the REAL ID Act is starting to sink in with a lot of people, especially since the administration announced those unprecedented sweeping waivers on April 1,” said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. “There was a huge ‘oops’ moment among some members of Congress. Offering their support for our constitutional challenge is one way that they can start reestablishing balance among the branches of government.”
Members of the House included on the friend-of-the-court brief are: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Veteran Affairs Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), Congressman Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas), Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), Congresswoman Susan A. Davis (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-Calif.), Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.).
Two other amicus briefs were filed yesterday: One by a diverse coalition including the Tohono O’odham Nation, religious leaders, and historic preservation and conservation organizations, and a second by a group of 28 distinguished law professors and constitutional scholars.
To find the complete lists of groups and individuals included on those briefs, visit www.defenders.org/border.
“Groups that have been looking at this issue from many different perspectives are now coming together to focus on this unconstitutional waiver authority, which makes a travesty of basic constitutional principles,” added Schlickeisen. “People around the nation are joining together and acting to put a stop to the Bush administration’s relentless maneuvering to build a senseless wall.”
Learn more about what Defenders is doing to protect wildlife along the border.
Contact(s) Joe Vickless, (202) 772-0237
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270
WASHINGTON – Fourteen members of the House of Representatives, including seven committee chairs, have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Defenders of Wildlife and The Sierra Club’s arguments that the waiver authority granted to the Bush administration under the REAL ID Act is unconstitutional, and that this case should be heard by the Supreme Court.
“The reality of the scope of power that the last Congress handed to the Bush administration under the REAL ID Act is starting to sink in with a lot of people, especially since the administration announced those unprecedented sweeping waivers on April 1,” said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. “There was a huge ‘oops’ moment among some members of Congress. Offering their support for our constitutional challenge is one way that they can start reestablishing balance among the branches of government.”
Members of the House included on the friend-of-the-court brief are: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Veteran Affairs Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), Congressman Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas), Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), Congresswoman Susan A. Davis (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-Calif.), Congressman Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.).
Two other amicus briefs were filed yesterday: One by a diverse coalition including the Tohono O’odham Nation, religious leaders, and historic preservation and conservation organizations, and a second by a group of 28 distinguished law professors and constitutional scholars.
To find the complete lists of groups and individuals included on those briefs, visit www.defenders.org/border.
“Groups that have been looking at this issue from many different perspectives are now coming together to focus on this unconstitutional waiver authority, which makes a travesty of basic constitutional principles,” added Schlickeisen. “People around the nation are joining together and acting to put a stop to the Bush administration’s relentless maneuvering to build a senseless wall.”
Learn more about what Defenders is doing to protect wildlife along the border.
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