Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132
May 30, 2002
United States Parole Commission
5550 Friendship Blvd. Suite 420
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286
Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132
Dear Commissioners,
It has come to our attention that Mr. Leonard Peltier will be reviewed for Parole this month (June) 2002. We request that you entertain the notion of granting Parole to Mr. Peltier, for the sake of his family and relatives who miss him greatly.
We are well aware of the nature of Leonard’s, currently housed at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, imprisonment. Yet, we firmly believe that circumstances, which led to his imprisonment, have been and are currently being reconciled by Leonard with his utmost sincerity. Mr. Peltier will be serving more than 26 years of imprisonment. Yet facts behind his case, including the US Attorney who prosecuted Leonard stating that they don’t know who killed the FBI agents whom Leonard was convicted for their deaths. Though the evidence corroborates Peltiers’ innocence, Leonard Peltier remains open and full heartedly expresses his sadness and pain for their deaths.
We also are aware that Leonard Peltier does not present a risk or endangers the public. He has had no prior convictions. Leonard has advocated non-violence throughout his prison term. Therefore, his release would not harm the community and would establish a better relationship between the American Indian and the United States.
Further, Leonard Peltier has been a model prisoner. Leonard mentors young native prisoners, encouraging them to lead clean and sober lives. Leonard also has a special artistic quality that allows him to use his time productively, enabling him to be a disciplined painter and expressive writer. Leonard’s humanitarian expressions have lent to support for battered women’s shelters, halfway houses, drug treatment centers, schools, and scholarships throughout the country. He has received merits and human rights awards for his goodness, including the 2001 Ontario Federation of Labor Human Rights award.
Finally, while we are aware that throughout the years, parole requests from a great number of friends and relatives of Leonard Peltier have passed through your hands. Those hands of yours carry a tremendous responsibility toward the wellness and healing of Lakota People, with whom we are members of. Leonard cared for and assisted our community at a time when there was very little protection for our Lakota culture and philosophies. We view Leonard’s imprisonment as part of an effort to restore and maintain a way of life that is endangered. Your granting of Parole for Leonard will show us how you really feel toward Lakota people. Now, we are told that he is suffering from physical ailments and poor health. Please let him live in peace and freedom. Please entertain the notion of granting Parole to Mr. Leonard Peltier. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
The Members of the
Lakota Student Alliance
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