Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

A campaign of non-violent civil disobedience to Free Leonard Peltier will start Saturday, December 19, 1998. Leonard suggested that the LPDC increase pressure on the Clinton administration to keep its promise and sign the order for Executive Clemency by organizing protests that include nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. The March 20, 1996 actions started generate attention and support for Leonard. This year we are calling for the first protest to come before the holidays to remind Clinton that Leonard will have to spend another Christmas behind bars unless he does the right thing and releases America's most well known political prisoner. The second day of non-violent civil disobedience is planned for the anniversary of his arrest on February 6, 1999.

The LPDC encourages activists to announce the Campaign of Non-violent Civil Disobedience at the September 12th protest in support of the people of Chiapas. It might be good to hold the September protest outside the Mexican Conciliate or Federal Building in your area. September 12th is Leonard's birthday and is several days before Mexico celebrates its independence. While we will not be driving food down to Chiapas we will be buy food from indigenous farmers in southern Mexico to be distributed to the refugees in the zone of conflict. At that protest we are asking that everyone write a letter to Clinton explaining why they support the campaign of non-violent civil disobedience to Free Leonard Peltier. On October 12th we are asking people to post flyers and posters throughout their communities. Please feel free to reprint the enclosed flyer for the December 19th action.

You contact the LPDC for a bundle of large posters that say "FREE LEONARD PELTIER AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS." These large posters are great for offices and homes as well as for wheat pasting on walls and taping in store windows. Help us make Leonard's case as visible as possible.

In preparation for the campaign of civil disobedience each community is encouraged to hold events and non-violence training to build for the December 19th action. It is also important for each group to organize legal support, local media contacts and an effective plan of civil disobedience.

SAMPLE FLYER

The Campaign of Non-violent Civil Disobedience
to Free Leonard Peltier
Saturday, December 19, 1998
( time and location of your local action )

A campaign of non-violent civil disobedience to Free Leonard Peltier will start in this area Saturday, December 19, 1998. Increase the pressure on the Clinton administration to keep its promise to sign the order for Executive Clemency. Join the holiday action to remind Clinton that Leonard will have to spend another Christmas behind bars unless he does the right thing and releases one of America's most well known political prisoners. Leonard Peltier is innocent and has dedicated his life to supporting to rights of all people. He has spent 23 years locked up. The least we can do is spend a day in jail to help him win his freedom. Call your local group for details about non-violence training and legal support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
PO BOX 583,
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: 785-842-5774
Email: lpdc@idir.net

SAMPLE LETTER TO CLINTON

Dear Mr. President Clinton,

I am writing you in concern of Mr. Leonard Peltier who has been falsely imprisoned for 22 years. Don't let Leonard spend another holiday season in prison. I am well aware that Mr. Peltier's clemency application is pending before the Department of Justice. It has been there for almost five years. I am also aware that normally this process takes six to nine months. As the president of the United States I would imagine that you have the authority to check with the Department of Justice regarding Mr. Peltier's application so that you can give Mr. Peltier's case a "fair and impartial review" as you had promised.

Currently Mr. Peltier's health is in severely poor condition. Due to a jaw operation he underwent at Springfield Medical Facility, he is in excruciating pain every day. He cannot open his mouth enough to bite or chew his food. He must force food through a gap in his teeth and then mash it with his tongue in order to eat. Prison officials will not allow him to see Dr. Keller at the Mayo clinic despite the fact that he has offered his services to Mr. Peltier and despite the fact that it is Mr. Peltier's legal right to do so. This condition could prove to be life threatening due to the possibility of infection.

We, Mr. Peltier's supporters are tired of being ignored. We are attempting to obtain Senate Hearing Investigations that will expose the FBI's part in the illegal incarceration of Mr. Peltier as well as the Pine Ridge murders in which over sixty Native people were murdered with out investigation. How will the American public feel about their government when they find out an innocent man has been incarcerated over twenty-two years? How will they feel after they learn about the Dick Wilson's Reign of Terror which caused so many innocent people to lose their lives at the hands of the FBI? We will soon be taking to the streets doing civil disobedience. Your refusal to acknowledge this serious matter leaves us with no other way to seek justice. We will not allow business as usual to continue until Mr. Peltier is granted Executive Clemency, we receive Senate Hearings that would expose the truth, or we are able to enter his case back into the courts. On December 19th we will be disrupting the busiest shopping day of the year. I will be one of the people who will be participating in this action. Mr. Peltier is suffering at the hands of the government and will not allow this to continue or remain unexposed any longer.

We are asking that you simply take the time to review Mr. Peltier's case as you had promised. Fifty members of Congress, The European Parliament, the Belgium Parliament, and the Italian Parliament would not be supporting Mr. Peltier's release if their was not serious reason to do so. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Please encourage your friends and associates to support this effort so Leonard will be free for the holidays. Help us organize the actions this Saturday, December 19, 1998!