Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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An International Organizing Conference, on behalf of Native American Indian political prisoner Leonard Peltier, will be held on June 25, 26, and 27, 1999 at the Haskell Indian Nations University.

Human rights workers, grass roots activists, lawyers, lobbyists, and educators from across the U.S. and around the world will be attending, speaking, and facilitating the Leonard Peltier Organizing Conference sponsored by the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC) June 25, 26, and 27 at Haskell Indian Nations University. The goal of the conference is to unite and focus the mounting support to gain proper medical treatment and freedom for Native American Indian Federal Prisoner, Leonard Peltier.

Peltier is deemed to be a political prisoner by Amnesty International who is calling for his "immediate and unconditional release." Many people such as renowned human rights activist and lawyer, Jennifer Harbury; legal counsel for Nelson Mandela, Lennox Hinds; recently released political prisoner, Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt; and former South African Political Prisoner, Dennis Brutus have recently joined the campaign. Additionally, survivors of the infamous 1973-1976 "reign of terror" in which over sixty Indigenous People from the Pine Ridge Lakota Nation in South Dakota were murdered, have recently rejoined the campaign to speak out about the political climate and shoot out which lead to Mr. Peltier’s incarceration.

As a show of solidarity with the Leonard Peltier Organizing Conference, a 600 mile Run For Freedom will start in Covington Kentucky on June 21st and will arrive at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas on Friday June 25. Such runs were traditionally done by Indigenous Peoples to carry messages from one village to another. Today such runs are similarly used by Native Americans to raise awareness about issues facing their communities. Runners from Japan, Europe and Australia will be joining the run as well. The runners are scheduled to arrive at Haskell University at 5:00 PM on Friday evening. A press conference will be held at this time. Interviews with panelists can be prearranged by the LPDC.

The registration fee for the three day conference, which is open to the public, is twenty-five dollars. The conference will open on Friday evening with a prayer by Lakota Spiritual Leader, David Chief and cultural presentation by Oglala survivors and Peltier’s grandchildren as well as a reading from Peltier's recently released book, "Prison Writings, My Life Is My Sundance" and will be followed by panel discussions on Saturday and strategy work shops on Sunday.

A press conference will be held on Friday, June 25, at the Haskell Indian Nations University, in front of the Auditorium at 5:00 p.m. The Freedom Runners should be arriving at this time. Interviews with panelists can be arranged at the press conference or by calling the LPDC office.

Contact the LPDC:

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee,
P.O. Box 583, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Phone (785) 842-5774 or Fax: (785) 842-5796,
ask for Gina Chiala or Bobby Castillo.

Leonard Peltier's new book, "Prison Writings ~ My Life Is My Sun Dance", edited by Harvey Arden, is now available from the LPDC. Proceeds from the book, ordered through the LPDC, will go directly to the Leonard Peltier Defense Fund.

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Related URL's: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee International Office LPDC Free Leonard Peltier Site (Under Construction) Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance "Leonard Peltier's Book Released This Week"

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