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Benefit Music Event to Support Clemency for Leonard Peltier Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA October 19, 2000

The Leonard Peltier Support Group of Greater New England (LPSG/GNE) is sponsoring a series of music benefits and meetings in support of Native American political activist, Leonard Peltier. The first upcoming program is at the Iron Horse Music Hall Thursday, October 19, 2000 from 7:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The program features the diverse music of AYE, Dredi, Gaia Roots and Electric Blue and the Kosmic Truth, spanning the styles of folk, world beat, reggae, harmonious vocals, rhythm and blues.

Many believe that Leonard Peltier has been unjustly imprisoned for over 24 years. Amnesty International considers him a political prisoner who should be "immediately and unconditionally released." Because of clear indications that he was unfairly targeted due to his key role in the American Indian Movement, Leonard Peltier is often seen as a symbol of the US government's attempts to silence those seeking to protect the interests of Native land and communities. Now Leonard Peltier is facing the most critical time ever in his campaign for freedom and indeed his life. His only chance for a near future release lies in the hands of President Clinton through a grant of Executive Clemency.

"The purpose of the benefit," said organizer Jonathan Mark, "is to build momentum and support for an international action on Leonard Peltier's behalf." Many individuals from the pioneer region will be joining people from around the world to participate in a "Free Peltier March" on December 10 at the United Nations in New York City. December 10 marks the anniversary for the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations have recognized Leonard Peltier as a Human Rights Defender. Other supporters include Coretta Scott King, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the American Friends Service Committee, Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu, the National Council of Churches, and many others.

This is the second consecutive year of music, meetings and demonstrations in the Pioneer Valley in support of Leonard Peltier. Last year's event at the Iron Horse was successful and this year should be even better. Posters with the art work of Lahri Bond of "Heartwork Graphics" show the engraved drawing of the spirit of Crazy Horse with Peltier seeing the bars of his prison dissolve in a vision of a star-bright night.

The Leonard Peltier Support Group of Greater New England can be contacted by e-mail. Send e-mail to: Jonathan Mark