~American Indian Political Prisoner Honored in Santa Fe Jan 31 & Feb 2~

[Dark Shadows]

IN THE SPIRIT OF LEONARD PELTIER
VISIONS OF US PRISONER #896937-132


press release and update 01.19.08


Thursday January 31st, 7:00 pm
El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, 1615 B Paseo de Peralta,
phone: 505-992-0591
[email protected],
Directions and info for El Museo: https://elmuseocultural.org

Saturday February 2nd, 7:00 pm
Railyard Performance Center
1611 B Paseo de Peralta, 505-982-8309


Author/Editor/Spoken-Word Performer Harvey Arden along with guest
performers.


Mark Holtzman [aka Silent Bear] will honor the gathering with his music
on the Jan 31 venue only.


These and other dedicated and talented people will offer their personal
thoughts of Leonard Peltier.


Harvey Arden with the passion and spirit in the words of Leonard Peltier
will make the event something not to be missed.


This passionate spoken word performance is based on the Leonard Peltier
book-Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance.


Prison Writings was written in 1999 by the Native American political
prisoner, Leonard Peltier, whose words were adapted into a powerful
stage-play by his editor, Harvey Arden.


Leonard's words are just as poignant today as when the book first appeared
and deserves the attention of the entire nation.


Leonard's parole hearing is scheduled for December, 2008. Prison Writings
is a collection of Peltier's essays and poems, reflecting his life and his
work from within the prison walls.




Defending his People and being Indian is his only crime.


The cultural traditions of his people connect Leonard and each of us to the
Wakan Tanka--The Great Mystery


This spiritual connection and his personal sacrifice to the Creator keeps
him strong and unbroken. His life is connected to each of us.


Each day this innocent man suffers for his people; in fact,now that you
know his truth, he also suffers for you.


What will you do now?


During the horrific early 1970's Reign of Terror on the Lakota (Sioux)
reservation at Pine Ridge South Dakota, an infamous time of violence and
corruption existed. Complicit tribal officials hired local thugs known as
GOONS --'Guardians of the Oglala Nation', who--with the blessing of the U.S.
Government--carried out an unprovoked series of assaults on the traditional
people on the Pine Ridge reservation. SD.


Behind these attacks was Big Energy's desire for uranium under Sioux lands,
then being secretly negotiated between the U.S. government and compliant
Tribal officials.


Two FBI agents were killed on June 26, 1975 during a gun battle on The
Jumping Bull Property. Leonard Peltier was falsely framed for the murder of
the two FBI agents. The other defendants charged with the same crime had
been acquitted by a jury. They were defending their people from an
unprovoked attack. Self defense--a basic human right--was denied Leonard
Peltier and his legal team.


Following the discovery of new evidence obtained through a Freedom of
Information Act lawsuit. Mr. Peltier demanded a new trial. The Eighth
Circuit court ruled, "There is a possibility that the jury would have
acquitted Leonard Peltier had the records and data improperly withheld from
the defense been made available to him." Yet, the court denied Mr.
Peltier a new trial. The jury sentenced Mr. Peltier to two consecutive life
terms.




Judge Heaney, who authored the decision denying a new trial, has since
voiced firm support for Mr. Peltier's release, stating that:


"The FBI used improper tactics to convict Mr. Peltier".


Judge Heaney also stated that:


"The FBI was equally responsible for the shoot-out, and that Mr.
Peltier's release would promote healing with Native Americans".


So why is this story of Judicial Racism hidden from the public eye?


The late Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, Amnesty International,
International Indian Treaty Council, the UN High Commissioner on Human
Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Coretta Scott King, Mikhail Gorbachev,
Gloria Steinem, Wilma Mankiller, Robert Redford, the European Parliament,
and a host of other notables all have worked, petitioned, and pleaded for
Leonard Peltier's release.


For the American Indian Nations as well as the world at large, the continued
imprisonment of Leonard Peltier is Americas Judicial embarrassment.


The spirit of the Sun-dancer who is Leonard Peltier confronted with the
treachery and ugliness of life has transcended and has become the message,of
hope, courage, and integrity for his People for his family and each of us.


Peltier has been behind prison bars for more than half of his life (he
turned 63 this past September). He remains a model prisoner, establishing
numerous humanitarian projects within the prison system as well as back on
the Pine Ridge Reservation.


Petitions will be available at both performances appealing for Leonard's
release in his upcoming December 2008 parole hearing (scheduled the last
month of the Bush presidency). If Mr. Peltier is denied release at this
hearing or not granted Presidential clemency-he will not receive another
opportunity for freedom until the 2017 parole hearing. His official release
date is 2041.




Leonard's voice from inside the cage asks you, "What will you do now?"


Be the change, question everything, it's your duty as a citizen.


Be one voice if in your heart you can stand in support.
Join your voice with ours and together we can create change.


For further information or to become part of the healing....




Please contact:
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC)- www.leonardpeltier.net

The Oglala Commemoration can be reached at www.oglalacommemoration.com
holding events each June 26th and following Leonards requests to implement
many projects on the Rez.


Information about Harvey Arden or to order his books-
www.haveyouthought.com.


Locally, Prison Writings may be found at Hotel Santa Fe's Picuris Art Shop-
982-1200 (and will be available along with other titles by Mr. Arden at the
above events).


www.MyLifeIsMySunDance.com to learn more about these and other upcoming
Peltier events-including the screen play being produced in Santa Fe this
Summer, " My Life is My Sun dance"
or contact Keith Rabin at [email protected]

Some excerpts were furnished by: Stephanie M. Schwartz
([email protected]) from the article, "Transcendent Magic,"
March 2007 issue of Namaste Magazine.
Please read the entire article compiled by Stephanie M Schwartz.
See the hand outs at the event. We thank her greatly.


In Peace
Keith Rabin [email protected]

[scorpiomoon]

[quote=Dark Shadows;48066]IN THE SPIRIT OF LEONARD PELTIER
VISIONS OF US PRISONER #896937-132


Wasn't his side of the story told in a book called, "In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse?" I read it years ago and would highly reccommend this book for those who want the story of his case.