Subject: Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27


> Leonard Peltier's first full parole hearing was held in 1993, at
> which time his case was continued for a 15-year reconsideration. On
> Wednesday, it was announced (in Portland, OR) that Mr. Peltier has
> recently applied for and been granted a parole hearing. The hearing
> is scheduled for July 27, 2009. All supporters are encouraged to
> step up their efforts in support of parole for Leonard Peltier.
> 
> Letters in Support of Parole
> 
> It is really important that everyone write letters in support of
> Leonard's petition for parole. These letters can be quite simple
> and should cover the basic points important for parole decisions. A
> sample letter follows. Feel free to use it, but know that it's even
> better if you write one in your own words. Be courteous and concise.
> 
> Get as many people to sign similar letters, as well. Carry a sheaf of
> spare letters with you. Get one signature per letter, that is, rather
> than using a petition format. Mail them to the Parole Commission,
> but also send copies to the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
> (contact information below).
> 
> Guidelines for General Supporters
> 
> First, we ask that you sign the online at
> http://www.msplinks.com/http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/.
> 
> Next, draft correspondence to the U.S. Parole Commission. A sample
> letter follows.
> 
> Sample Letter
> 
> United States Parole Commission
> 5550 Friendship Boulevard
> Suite 420
> Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286
> (Insert Date)
> 
> Re: LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132
> 
> Dear Commissioners,
> 
> Convicted in connection with the deaths on June 26, 1975, of
> Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, agents of the Federal Bureau of
> Investigation, Mr. Leonard Peltier remains imprisoned at the United
> States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
> 
> The court record in this case clearly shows that government
> prosecutors have long held that they do not know who killed Mr. Coler
> and Mr. Williams nor what role Leonard Peltier "may have" played
> in the tragic shoot-out.
> 
> Further, in a decision filed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
> on December 18, 2002, Mr. Peltier's sentences "were imposed in
> violation of [Peltier's] due process rights because they were based
> on information that was false due to government misconduct," and,
> according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2003: ".Much
> of the government's behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and its
> prosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The government
> withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not
> disputed."
> 
> Despite these admissions, Leonard Peltier has served over 33 years
> in prison.
> 
> After careful consideration of the facts in Leonard Peltier's case,
> I have concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk to
> the public. First, Leonard Peltier has no prior convictions and has
> advocated for non-violence throughout his prison term. Furthermore,
> Leonard Peltier has been a model prisoner. He has received excellent
> evaluations from his work supervisors on a regular basis. He
> continues to mentor young Native prisoners, encouraging them to
> lead clean and sober lives. He has used his time productively,
> disciplining himself to be a talented painter and an expressive
> writer. Although Leonard Peltier maintains that he did not kill
> the agents, he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over
> their deaths.
> 
> Most admirably, Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to those
> in need. He donates his paintings to charities including battered
> women's shelters, half way houses, alcohol and drug treatment
> programs, and Native American scholarship funds. He also coordinates
> an annual holiday gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge
> Indian Reservation.
> 
> Leonard Peltier is widely recognized for his good deeds and in
> turn has won several awards including the North Star Frederick
> Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of
> the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International
> Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime
> Achievement. Mr. Peltier also has been nominated for the Nobel
> Peace Prize six times.
> 
> Leonard Peltier is now over 60 years of age-a great-grandfather-and
> suffers from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, and
> high blood pressure.
> 
> I recognize the grave nature of the events of June 26, 1975,
> and I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of those who
> died that day. However, I find aspects of this case to also be of
> concern and I believe Leonard Peltier deserves to be reunited with
> his family and allowed to live the remaining years of his life in
> peace. I also believe that, rather than presenting a threat to the
> public, Mr. Peltier's release would help to heal a wound that has
> long impeded better relations between the federal government and
> American Indians.
> 
> Thank you for your time and consideration.
> 
> Sincerely yours,
> 
> Signature
> 
> 
> (Your Name)
> (Your Street Address)
> (Your City, State, and Zip Code)
> 
> For Family and Friends
> 
> As with any professional correspondence, your support letter should
> be on letterhead (if you have Microsoft Word or another similar
> program you can easily create professional-looking letterhead from
> a template). The letterhead should include all of your contact
> information including your name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail
> address if applicable.
> 
> Describe your relationship with Leonard -- how do you know him, for
> how long, etc. Write about his character, and his accomplishments
> both before and during imprisonment. Discuss improvements made
> since being incarcerated such as education and his philanthropic
> work. Discuss Leonard's positive attitude and, despite his innocence,
> the fact that he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over the
> deaths that occurred on June 26, 1975.
> 
> Finish your support letter by telling the Parole Board how you
> will support Leonard once he is granted parole. Your support might
> be financial, such as a place to live, use of a vehicle, or help
> finding job offers. Your support can also be emotional such as
> providing advice and encouragement.
> 
> IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL SUPPORTERS: When you write a letter in support
> of Leonard's parole, mail the letter directly to the U.S. Parole
> Commission, but also please send a copy of your correspondence to
> the Peltier Legal Team, c/o LP-DOC, P.O. Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106. 
> Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.
> 
> Friends of Peltier
> http://www.FreePeltierNow.org
>