Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

For 23 years, Leonard Peltier has languished in prison though there is no credible evidence to suggest that he was responsible for the deaths of two FBI agents on Pine Ridge Reservation back in 1975. His appeals have been denied despite the fact that the FBI and the Justice Department have contrived evidence, elicited false testimony, and conducted his first trial in such a manner as to prejudice the jury before the case was ever heard. He was convicted simply because somebody had to pay for what happened to the FBI agents, and they wanted to lock him up as he was targeted by COINTELPRO as an AIM leader.

The Clinton Administration long ago promised to give an impartial review to Leonard’s petition for executive clemency. Since then, the president and his staff have refused to answer any questions concerning this petition. It has become clear that Leonard will only achieve his freedom through the will of the people. This is now more urgent than ever, as Leonard is suffering in terrible pain due to medical maltreatment. The following information about his his medical condition is an excerpt from the update issued by the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.

HEALTH

Leonard Peltier is currently suffering from complications of a previous maxilla-facial surgery which he underwent at the Springfield Medical facility in 1996. Because of this, he is in excruciating pain everyday as the pain in his jaw never resides.

As a child Leonard stepped on a nail and got tetanus. This caused him to get lockjaw and he has had problems with his jaw ever since. He also broke his jaw once and it never healed correctly. This is why he was transferred to Springfield for surgery in 1996. Dr. Collins, one of the prison doctors, had recommended that Leonard be treated at the Mayo clinic in Rochester because Springfield did not have the proper facilities. The prison ignored this advice. During this surgery Leonard almost died. He was in a coma for fourteen hours after the surgery and his jaw is now in much worse condition than before he was treated.

Leonard cannot bite or chew his food because his jaw is frozen. He cannot completely close or open his mouth. He must eat by forcing food through a gap in his front teeth and then mashing it against his front teeth with his tongue. The prison will not blend his food. He suffers from excruciating headaches and jaw pain because of this condition.

This is not the only maltreatment he received at Springfield. After the operation he was told that he required radiation treatment to his jaw. He was told that if he did not receive it he would die. After a lot of pressure he agreed despite the fact that he was already weak and in severe pain from the surgery. During this time he was kept in "the hole" which is a cell that is six by eight feet long. It was infested with cockroaches and ants, he was only allowed a one inch pencil to write with, he had to write on the cement floor, and he was only allowed one phone call a month. He was not put in isolation because his behavior had warranted any type of disciplinary action.

After one month it became apparent to Leonard that the surgery was a complete failure. He refused to go back to Springfield because of its inhumane conditions and medical maltreatment. It has been two years and he is still waiting for treatment from the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Keller, a specialist at the Mayo Clinic has agreed to do the surgery but the prison will not transfer him there. Leonard will not sign any transfer papers unless they specifically state that he is going to the Mayo Clinic for treatment for fear of being transferred back to Springfield. Legal remedies are currently being taken in order to get Leonard the care he needs. Meanwhile please help us pressure the BOP, Leavenworth prison, and Congress to allow him to be immediately transferred to the Mayo Clinic.

Leonard has endured the Marion Control Unit, an attempted assassination, harassment, and physical brutality for twenty-three years despite the fact that the government says they do not know who is responsible for the deaths of the agents. It is important now more than ever that Leonard is released.

CALL TO ACTION!

February 6th marks the anniversary of Leonard’s arrest in Canada, so we are asking for rallies on this day throughout the United States and internationally. Furthermore, in an effort to step up the pressure and awaken as many people as possible to Leonard’s plight, we are inviting anyone who feels strongly about this injustice to join us in a solidarity fast. You can pledge to fast for various lengths of time, from one day to two weeks, or until Leonard receives medical treatment in the Mayo clinic.

If enough people can commit to two week fasts, then we could set up fasting shifts and use the fast as a tool to plead Leonard’s cause before the general public. The idea is for people who are fasting to appeal to people directly in restaurants, diners and cafeterias, urging them to contact the Bureau of Prisons, President Clinton, and their congress people. In particular, tours of college cafeterias can be set up where sympathy fasters can engage the student body and hopefully draw them into active participation.

If you are interested in joining the solidarity fast, or in helping to organize a rally in your area, please contact the following address or respond directly to this e-mail.

NORTHWEST LEONARD PELTIER SUPPORT NETWORK
TACOMA OFFICE
P.O. BOX 5464
TACOMA, WA 98415-0464 USA
Email: bayou@blarg.net

Above all, write to the Bureau of Prisons, President Clinton and your congress people. Demand that Leonard receive medical treatment at the Mayo clinic, and demand that he be given clemency now.

Ms. Kathleen Hawk
Director, Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street
Washington DC 20534
Fax 202-514-6878
Email: swolfson@bop.gov

Warden Booker
Leavenworth Prison
P O Box 1000
Leavenworth, KS 66048
Phone: 913-682-8700

For executive clemency:

President Bill Clinton
The White House
1616 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington DC, 20500
Email: President@whitehouse.gov

U.S. Pardon Attorney
Roger C. Adams
500 First St NW Ste 400
Ref: Leonard Peltier #89637-132
Washington DC 20530

For hearings into the events at Pine Ridge
from 1972-76 and the case of Leonard Peltier:

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Chairperson, Select Committee on Indian Affairs
SH838
1st & C Sts NE
Washington, D.C., 20510
Email: administrator@campbell.senate.gov

Sen. Orin Hatch
Chairman Judicial Affairs
SD-224
1st and C Sts NE
Washington, DC, 20510

Information received by way of the:
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee listserv!

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