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LEONARD PELTIER IS HOME!

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Lakota Law

A few weeks ago, we let you know that our respected American Indian Movement (AIM) elder and activist Leonard Peltier was granted his release from federal prison after nearly 50 long years. Today, my daughter, Tokata, and I were present on the ground in Florida to witness this momentous event. Watch our new video to get more of our thoughts on what this means for our movement and what comes next.

Watch: Tokata and I discuss the significance of Leonard’s freedom.

Though former President Biden commuted his sentence, Leonard has not been granted a full pardon and remains on house arrest under the watchful eye of the federal government. If Leonard wishes it, we will remain active in helping him fully clear his name so he can live out his remaining days in true freedom. We’re so grateful to you and every one of our tens of thousands of supporters who demanded that Biden free him. And I want to credit Jenipher Jones and all the good folks at For the People, who have handled so much of the legal strategy on Leonard’s behalf.

Today, Leonard flew by private plane to his homelands among the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa on Anishinaabe territory in so-called Minnesota. This week, there will be a feed to honor him — a hero’s welcome home, thanks to our friends at NDN Collective. Our media relations director, Darren Thompson, will be onsite to report on that. We know you join us in wishing Leonard well. We’ll continue to honor his sacrifice as the USA’s (and its Native nations’) longest-serving political prisoner. 

As we shared with you a few days back, we recognize AIM’s legacy as the genesis point for the modern Indigenous justice movement. We must continue to assert and defend Indigenous sovereignty and American constitutional sovereignty as key pillars of that movement. We’ll always be grateful to stand on the shoulders of giants like Leonard, Russell Means, Dennis Banks, The Bellecourt brothers, Pat Bellanger, Madonna Thunder Hawk, Phyllis Young, and so many more.

As this week’s headlines attest, we are now in a moment when fighting for justice is all-important. Our basic freedoms are under attack — and not just ours as Indigenous people. As key government agencies are gutted, as funding for vital programs is shut off, and as airplanes crash out of the skies, we’re all affected. Thus, the lessons of the AIM era should resonate stronger than ever before: we must rally together to protect one another. We must fight to restore sanity. Stay ready. We will have much more to say about what that will look like later this week.

Wopila tanka — thank you for supporting justice!
Chase Iron Eyes
Executive Director
Lakota People’s Law Project
Sacred Defense Fund

Note: Please look back at our posts over the years when we asked for justice for Leonard. He now needs a complete pardon, and the past injustices need to be exposed.

This is a great time to shine a light on all government agencies. As you see, that is what is being done, and like peeling off a bandage, it might hurt; however, we are living through a fantastic time of exposure. Sometimes, you need to get those agencies to get rid of the entrenched corrupt officials. Prepare yourself for new people with integrity to step in—get involved in the process. We have been knee-deep in corruption for decades.

The powers we are fighting want us to view what is happening as a threat. Ask yourself who the people are who are complaining and why they are complaining and in a panic.

The Last Four Years: Remember

Lockdowns for a fake pandemic

Sudden Deaths

Endless Wars

Open Borders

Billions to support neo-Nazis

Isolation

Inflation

Mask Mandates

Genital mutilation of minors

More Wars

Supporting Genocide

Devastating Hurricanes/Wildfires/Flooding/Train derailments/Chemical plant explosions

……need I continue? It is like people think the last four years were in paradise.

Action: Tribal Recognition for the Muwekma Ohlone

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Lakota Law

A couple months back, amid the tail end of their “Trail of Truth” cross-country horseback ride to Washington, D.C., we introduced you to our partnership with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. For decades, these relatives — some of the original peoples of California — have been denied their rightful status as a federally recognized tribe. That’s unacceptable, and so through a partnership that involves our assistance with media creation and outreach, we aim to help them right this grievous wrong.

Today I remind you that your voice is critical in helping the Muwekma restore their federal recognition. If you have not done so, please send a message to your congressional reps demanding justice for the Muwekma. While you’re at the page, please also watch the new video we produced with their cooperation and on their behalf, then share the action on your preferred social media channels.

Watch, take action, and share! It’s long past time some of California’s original peoples had their federal recognition rightfully restored.

As Muwekma Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh makes clear in the video, this is “about standing up and demanding justice for the Muwekma Ohlone.” It’s about creating a future for her people that appropriately recognizes their history — more than 10,000 years living in one of the world’s most beautiful, powerful, and wealthy places. San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, and I could go on and on: all of these places occupy land stolen from Ohlone ancestors. 

Restoration of federal recognition is the very least the Muwekma deserve. The tribe previously held federally recognized status under its former name — the Verona Band of Mission Indians. Though this status was never officially terminated, the Muwekma were eventually, inexplicably, left off the government’s official rolls. 

Federal recognition is tremendously important to Native People for a number of reasons. Those include access to key government funds that can provide educational opportunities for youth and elevate living conditions for entire communities, not to mention the abilities to establish new paths toward self-determination and repatriate artifacts and ancestral remains that should come home to Native care.

As Indigenous People, we understand how big a difference these things make. As I mentioned to you in our last message about the Muwekma, the horses Chairwoman Nijmeh and her companions rode those many miles came from Percy White Plume of the Horse Nation on the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Pine Ridge Reservation. On the rez, we know we have to stand together, now more than ever.

That’s why, under Sacred Defense Fund, Lakota Law will continue to expand its mission to create and foster partnerships that elevate voices and address concerns far beyond Lakota Country. We support sovereignty efforts across Turtle Island and justice movements worldwide. We stand for equity, and we fight for fairness. And we remain extremely grateful to you for being there with us, every step of the way.

Wopila tanka — thank you for your friendship, courage, and activism.
Chase Iron Eyes
Executive Director
Lakota People’s Law Project
Sacred Defense Fund

P.S. Please write your reps and demand federal recognition for the Muwekma Ohlone. Let’s show solidarity with our California relatives and keep fighting, every day, for tribal sovereignty and respect.

Lakota People’s Law Project
c/o Sacred Defense Fund
PO Box 27
Santa Fe, NM 87504

Leonard Peltier: Free!

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“It’s Finally Over – I’m Going Home”  ~Leonard Peltier
    Greetings, Lekší Leonard is returning to his homelands of Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe territory! President Biden has granted Leonard Peltier commutation of his life sentence, to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, effective February 18, 2025.
This grant of clemency resulted from 50 years of intergenerational grassroots organizing in Indian Country. Together we witnessed the unveiling of extensive evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional violations committed during Peltier’s case. “Leonard Peltier’s liberation is our liberation – and while home confinement is not complete freedom, we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture,” said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective Founder and CEO. Watch the NDN LIVE:
There is no real justice after losing 50 years of freedom, but today, our hearts are full of joy and gratitude that Lekší Leonard is returning home. “Today’s decision shows the combined power of grassroots organizing and advocacy at the highest levels of government. We are grateful to President Biden and the leadership of Secretary Deb Haaland. said Holly Cook Macarro, Government Affairs for NDN Collective. “All of us here today stand on the shoulders of three generations of activists who have fought for justice for Leonard Peltier. Today is a monumental victory – the day that Leonard Peltier finally goes home.”
We remember the countless prayers that were said for Leonard. We remember and honor those who organized, mobilized, took to the streets, rallied, signed petitions, called representatives, lifted his story, and fought against Leonard’s unjust incarceration across Turtle Island and internationally— especially those who have traveled on and are witnessing this moment in the stars. 
NDN delegation goes LIVE outside of the Coleman, FL Penitentiary where Leonard is being held. Photo credit: Angel White Eyes. NDN delegation speaks with Leonard Peltier outside of the Coleman, FL Penitentiary. Photo credit: Angel White Eyes.
 
To learn more about Leonard’s release, read NDN Collective’s press release here. For media inquiries contact: Cabot Petoia, cabot@ndncollective.org, 828-899-9239, and Sarah Manning, sarah@ndncollective.org, (208) 591-0672.
READ PRESS RELEASE
Our hearts are with our relatives who are still unjustly incarcerated and continue to be targets of police and state violence. The fight to release Leonard Peltier from prison is over, however, the fight for justice and the healing of our People from systems that continue to violate Indigenous rights globally, and target, criminalize, incarcerate, and murder our people, is a fight we continue to take on at NDN Collective. 
Please continue to hold Leonard in your hearts and say prayers for all that comes next for him. ✊🏽
In Gratitude,  NDN Collective

Take Action: Free Leonard Peltier

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ACTION ALERT: Calling all supporters of Leonard Peltier to sign this petition to urge President Joe Biden to grant Leonard Peltier executive clemency. #FreeLeonardPeltier

Background

“The fight has not ended for me” – Leonard Peltier

Leonard Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, is in his 50th year of imprisonment. Leonard is 80 years old and his health is rapidly declining. He stands as a symbol of the ongoing racism and oppression against Native Americans in the United States criminal justice system, issues that Leonard fought against in the 1970’s and throughout his incarceration.

On July 2nd, millions of people across Indian Country were devastated to learn that Leonard Peltier, an activist and member of the American Indian Movement, had been denied parole by the United States Parole Commission. The Commission issued the decision after a parole hearing on June 10th at the United States Penitentiary Coleman I in Florida, where Mr. Peltier is currently incarcerated.

“They denied parole to a survivor of genocidal Indian boarding schools as he struggles to survive this unjust incarceration, they insist on holding him for a crime for which they have no physical evidence against him. Clearly, the Parole Commission – which is supposed to be an independent body – was influenced by the FBI. The FBI continues to abuse its power, promote false narratives, and engage in counterintelligence activities. The FBI has no regard for the Constitution or the laws they have sworn an oath to protect.” – Nick Tilsen, President and CEO, NDN Collective

The FBI director at the time J. Edgar Hoover was waging a war against anyone he perceived as a threat. His violent and illegal tactics under COINTELPRO — the FBI’s Counterintelligence Program (1956 to 1971) — were a direct assault on the American Indian Movement, the Black Panther Party, and the Women’s Liberation Movement. “Hoover’s FBI did everything it could to consciously and deliberately derail the Civil Rights Movement,” said Stevie Van Zandt

While Leonard’s attorneys file an appeal of this decision, we call on President Joe Biden to grant executive clemency to #BringLeonardHome. President Biden promised to be a friend and ally of Indigenous Peoples.

Will Biden release the oldest living Indigenous political prisoner in American history, or will he simply allow Peltier to die in prison?

President Biden, you have the power to do what’s right we are demanding that you #FreeLeonardPeltier NOW via Executive Clemency. The whole world is watching.

Sign the petition today to let President Biden know we will not stop fighting for Leonard’s freedom. We are all not free until Leonard is free.

Sponsored by

NDN

To: President Joe Biden
From: [Your Name]

I write to you today to urge you to grant Leonard Peltier executive clemency.

Leonard Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, is in his 49th year of imprisonment. Leonard is 79 years old and his health is rapidly declining. He stands as a symbol of the ongoing racism and oppression against Native Americans in the United States criminal justice system, issues that Leonard fought against in the 1970s and throughout his incarceration.

The FBI has taken every measure to prevent Leonard from being released including ignoring the Constitution and violating Peltier’s civil rights. Peltier has served nearly 50 years on evidence that decades’ worth of observers have called into question. Witnesses were coerced and advocates say evidence was falsified. Two of the other men charged with the same crime were acquitted. In addition, a witness whose information was key to Peltier’s extradition from Canada to stand trial for the murders later said she made up her story under pressure from the FBI.

President Biden, you have the power to release the oldest living Indigenous political prisoner in American history, will you take swift action or simply allow Peltier to die in prison?

The whole world is watching. #FreeLeonardPeltier