URGENT ALERT! Leonard Peltier's Safety Is In Jeopardy!
By Betty Peltier-Solano
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
20 January 2009
Dear LP Supporters:I am so OUTRAGED! My brother Leonard was severely beaten upon his arrival at the Canaan Federal Penitentiary. When he went into population after his transfer, some inmates assaulted him.
The severity of his injuries is that he suffered numerous blows to his head and body, receiving a large bump on his head, possibly a concussion, and numerous bruises. Also, one of his fingers is swollen and discolored and he has pain in his chest and ribcage. There was blood everywhere from his injuries.
We feel that prison authorities at the prompting of the FBI orchestrated this attack and thus, we are greatly concerned about his safety. It may be that the attackers, whom Leonard did not even know, were offered reduced sentences for carrying out this heinous assault. Since Leonard is up for parole soon, this could be a conspiracy to discredit a model prisoner.
He was placed in solitary confinement and only given one meal, this is generally done when you won't name your attackers; incidentally being only given one meal seriously jeopardizes his health because of his diabetes. Prison officials refuse to release any info to the family, but they need to hear from his supporters to protect his safety, as does President Obama. His attorneys are trying to get calls into him now.
This attack on Leonard comes on the heels of the FBI's recent letter, prompting this attack by FBI supporters as an attempt to discredit Leonard as a model prisoner. Anyone who has been in the prison system knows well that if you refuse to name your attackers or file charges against them, then you lose your status as a victim and/or given points against your possible parole and labeled as a perpetrator.
It is not uncommon, in fact is quite common for the government to use Indian against Indian and they still operate under the old adage "it takes an Indian to catch an Indian". In 1978, they made an attempt to assassinate him through another Indian man who was also at Marion prison with Leonard. But Standing Deer chose to reveal the plot to him instead of taking his life in exchange FOR A CHANCE AT FREEDOM.
When Standing Deer was released in 2001, he joined the former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee as a board member. He also began to speak on Leonard's behalf until his murder six years ago today. Prior to his murder, Standing Deer confided with close friends and associates that the same man who visited him in Marion to assassinate Peltier, had came to Houston, TX and told him that he had better stay away from Peltier and anything to do with him.
We are aware that currently, the FBI is actively seeking support for the continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and also seeking support from Native People. So please be aware, and keep Leonard in your prayers. The FBI is apparently afraid of the impact we are having. If they will set him up to blemish his record just before a parole hearing, what will they do when it looks like his freedom will become a reality? We need to make sure that nothing happens to him again!
Please write the President, send it priority or registered mail. Email to Change.gov or email President Obama. Call your congressional representatives and write letters, not email, to them. Do what you can to get the word out to insure that Leonard is receiving adequate medical attention for his injuries.
I am asking you, supporters of Leonard and advocates of justice at this time to help. I don't know what else to do. Please Help!
Thank you
Betty Peltier-Solano
Executive Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
DEMAND that Leonard Peltier #89637-132 be treated with dignity and respect.
Let the Bureau of Prisons know that the public will hold them accountable for the safety and wellbeing of Leonard Peltier #89637-132. Call and request Leonard be treated with dignity and respect.
Canaan Federal Prison
570-488-8000
via: Freedom Archives
===================
Thank you to all supporters for taking action of Mr. Peltier's behalf. Our work isn't done. As you know, Mr. Peltier was assaulted at USP-Canaan last week. Your continuing involvement is greatly appreciated and urgently eeded.
* Update *
Peltier attorney Micheal Kuzma described Leonard's injuries during an interview yesterday on American Indian Airwaves. According to a letter received from Peltier (thus far, neither the attorneys or Leonard's family members have been able to speak directly with Leonard), the attack occurred on January 13. Leonard believes he may have a concussion and he's suffering from headaches that are a direct result of the beating. His middle finger on his left hand may be broken. He has a large bump near his right wrist. He is experiencing pain in the area of his right rib cage and chest (which is bruised). Listen to the interview (last 20 minutes of the program):
http://64.27.15.184/parchive/mp3/kpfk_090121_150223americanindian.mp3 .
* Don't Stop Now *
Please continue your contacts to demand that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) ensure the safety of Leonard Peltier. In all your contacts with entities within the BOP, please make certain to reference Leonard's registration number: Leonard Peltier #89637-132. Let the BOP know we will hold them accountable for Leonard's wellbeing.
Warden Ronnie R. Holt, Warden
USP-Canaan
U.S. Penitentiary
3057 Easton Turnpike
Waymart, PA 18472
Phone: 570-488-8000
Fax: 570-488-8130
E-mail address: CAA/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV
D. Scott Dodrill, Director
Northeast Regional Office
Federal Bureau of Prisons
2nd & Chesnut Streets., 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-521-7301
E-mail: NERO/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV
Harley G. Lappin, Director
Bureau of Prisons
U.S. Department of Justice
320 First Street, NW, Room 654
Washington, DC 20534
Phone: 202-307-3250
Fax: 202-514-6878
Under the U.S. Constitution, Leonard Peltier has rights. Sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution, Obama has a responsibility to investigate the treatment of Leonard Peltier #89637-132 and to provide relief. Contact President Obama:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President, United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Also write to your senators and your representative in Congress. See http://www.congress.org to identify and locate your Members of Congress. Also consider sending a video message. See http://www.congress.org/congressorg/mailapp/ for directions.
Write to the print and electronic media. Find you local media outlets at http://www.newslink.org. Letters to editors also can be made easy through free online services such as PublishaLetter.com. In a few clicks your letter will be on its way to the editor of your choice: http://www.publishaletter.com/index.jsp.
Write also to the following organizations. Ask for their continuing advocacy on Leonard's behalf:
The Honorable Navanethem Pillay
High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations United Nations
CH-1211
Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Secretariat of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations
United Nations
CH-1211
Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
The Honorable Prof. S. James Anaya
Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations
United Nations
CH-1211
Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations
United Nations
CH-1211
Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
The Honorable Irene Khan
Secretary General, Amnesty International
International Secretariat
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 0DW
UK
The Honorable Larry Cox
Executive Director, Amnesty International-USA
5 Penn Plaza - 14th Floor
New York, NY 10001
The Honorable Kenneth Roth
Executive Director, Human Rights ! Watch
350 Fifth Avenue
34th Floor
New York, NY 10118
"Never cease in the fight for peace, justice, and equality for all people. Be persistent in all that you do and don't allow anyone to sway you from your conscience." -- Leonard Peltier
Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863-9977
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Copyright 2008 Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
Native Rights News is making this material from Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee available with the implied permission of said organization and in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine codified at Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107: This article is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information. Distribution of this material is for research and educational purposes that will promote social and economic justice and benefit society.
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Posted By Alliance for Indigenous Rights to Native Rights News at 1/26/2009 01:56:00 PM
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