Luis Rosa, former Leavenworth Pol. Pris. speaks about Leonard Peltier

Wed, 15 Sep 1999

A Leonard Peltier Defense Committee interview with Luis Rosa, former Puerto Rican political prisoner, one day after his release from Leavenworth federal penitentiary—September 10, 1999

LPDC Congratulations on your release and thank you very much for taking the time to call us. We know that it was a very difficult decision that you and the other prisoners were faced with in regard to President Clinton’s offer to release you under such restrictive and unjustified conditions. Would you mind talking a little bit about the process you all went through in making the decision you did as well as what your apprehensions might be now that you are out, but still not free?

LR The conditions was something that for years we had said we would not accept—We knew what the political motives were behind them. These conditions attempted to strip our voice for the liberation of Puerto Rico—the conditions said that we could not associate with each other or partake in the political process in violation of our civil rights. This is what we had a problem with—the condition of renouncing violence was no problem. We issued a statement in 1997 where we did renounce violence and we were self critical about any harm or injuries that our movement had ever caused to anyone. To make our decision, we had to enter into a discussion through conference calls and I looked to my elders, Leonard Peltier and Jaan Laaman, and Ernie Santiago—Fernando Torres. I ran it through them and sought their opinions to reach the decision—I was really against accepting the conditions right up until the last minute—but the unified position of the prisoners was that we come out—I was really proud of my comrades though, it would have been easy to just take the offer right away after spending twenty years in prison—but we decided that everyone would either sign or everyone would stay—we took our time to make a decision—and we had the blessings of those who did not want to sign to go ahead and do so.

LPDC Of course, you know that Leonard’s supporters have been watching, and following what has been going on politically with this because we too have been asking for clemency from Clinton and we know that Leonard could be faced with a similar type of decision one day. A lot of us have been calling the White House and asking them to drop the conditions on your release. Though the deal you all received was bad, we were still pretty surprised that Clinton would be willing to release you at all, knowing his track record over the years. Can you tell us, what did your network do right, what do you think it is that really made him release you?

LR I have to give my thanks to the National Committee and the National Liberation Movement and the human rights groups in Puerto Rico—Jan Sussler and Michael Doiche—who did not rest until we were out—I really think the catalyst was that –all sectors of society were involved—including groups in Europe and Africa—workers unions of Puerto Ricans, students—the ability to touch every sector of society—the effort was not divided by political ideology—when it came to the prisoners, the only goal was our release. When we made this decision we were especially thinking about the other prisoners, especially Leonard Peltier—even if we come out with these conditions, people will see us—we will adhere to the conditions—we will show that we can reintegrate into the political arena with no reprisals—we knew the negative campaign would be there—it surpassed the viciousness we expected—we can turn it around with our conduct though, and open doors for others. We can prove them wrong.

LPDC We work with a lot of former prisoners and we know that one of hardest things for them, once they are out, is the thought and the knowledge that many of their brothers and sisters are still inside. A lot of prisoners subscribe to this news paper, is there any message that you would like to send out to them today? LR Greetings, and my strongest revolutionary embrace to all of them. When we came out, we took a part of every political prisoner out with us—and we left a part of ourselves inside with them. We are not going to rest until all of the prisoners are out—hopefully our voice will contribute to the freedom of every political prisoner. I want to thank every political prisoner and prisoner of war for their embraces, love and inspiration, and we want them to know that we want to be a service to them.

LPDC While you were in prison did you ever feel like there was pressure on you to have to live up to an image, or a perception that activists have of political prisoners? Are there any misconceptions about what it means to be a political prisoner that you would like to clear up?

LR Living up to the image—we live up to our own principles—not a dress or a suit we put on –it is the fabric of who we are—when people see us—we don’t stand out—we don’t’ walk with our heads up higher—with well manicured images—we are known for our consistency—when there is an issue we step forward—we use our voice when there is abuse—we are known for our humility—our willingness to help others. If you look at the conduct of all political prisoners—it is not one of arrogance but one of a person who sits back and listens before he speaks and appreciates the opinions of others and can learn and be willing to teach. It is a misconception that we walk too straight of a line with no time for humor or sports or for leisure—the last thing I did before I left is play hand ball with Leonard and eat with Leonard—we joked and played practical jokes on each other—laughter is what inspires us the most and you know, Leonard is one of the biggest jokers in there.

LPDC yeah, he makes us laugh here at the LPDC too—he really keeps us going—he calls and cheers us up when we are feeling frustrated—you would think it would be our job to do that for him.

LR That’s the other thing, we nourish ourselves from you—it’s a mutual thing—we are not just the inspiration for you—we get it from you all—in spirit and physically from the love we feel from you out there—we may be down and we make a phone call—we are picked up—I have done work for political prisoners before—you don’t see the fruit right away—you can get discouraged—you lack confidence to do something new, something that will maybe make a spark to get out of the routine of going to a march or doing the same old activity—you need that lift—it goes both ways.

LPDC I remember when the National Committee was organizing the tour to free all Puerto Rican Political Prisoners and Prisoners Of War and they were going to each prison to demonstrate. There was a small protest for your release outside of Leavenworth and you were put in the hole soon afterwards. Are you able to tell us what happened that day? Do you suggest that supporters not hold demonstrations in front of the prison where the prisoners are being held?

LR I was having a visit during the demonstration and afterward, the warden said, "the captain has ordered you to segregation," and I said, "why?" He said, "I don’t know." Later he said it was because of the demonstration, so I said "what does that have to do with me?" He said, " Well, someone made a gesture—an obscene gesture—but, I know it is out of character of your committee, so you will be out tomorrow." But they didn’t let me out—I spent two weeks in there. Afterwards, we were self critical about that—the person who had made the gesture apologized—so we have to be careful—We have to keep ourselves in line and we have to be consistent with the character of the prisoner who we represent—we have to show discipline or you can jeopardize the prisoner—just remember everything done outside has an effect on the inside—if it gets roudy out there—it’s gonna get roudy for us inside. We have to remember that people can be won over. Some of our brothers went home to Puerto Rico, when they got off the plane—even the police and security were helping them—even they were in tears—people can be won over like that—most of the time it depends on the character and the disposition of the people doing the work—even the warden said—he knew that behavior was out of character for us.

LPDC Can you tell Leonard’s supporters how he is treated inside?

LR For a while now he has had this problem with his jaw—and he has been denied the kind of treatment he needs—it really concerns us greatly—hopefully soon he will get the medical attention he needs. The administration is going to treat Leonard Peltier like any other political prisoner—they will be cautious yet vigilant—certain things others can get away with we can’t. Leonard Peltier is loved by the other prisoners, he is surrounded by people who love him and he is well respected inside by them.

LPDC Thank you Luis and congratulations again on your release. Is there anything else you would like to add?

LR Yeah, once Leonard took me to a sweat and it was the greatest experience I ever had—it was incredible—Although I didn’t appreciate that he brought in all the rocks at one time (laugh)—no, I love Leonard—when he gets out I asked him to come spend some time with me in Puerto Rico too.

LR Thank you and LOVE to all—I will serve as best as I can.

It’s 1999, why is Leonard Peltier still in prison???

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-842-5774

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