URGENT! URGENT! URGENT!
LEONARD PELTIER SUFFERING FROM EXCRUCIATING PAIN
Peltier's Health Date: Saturday, May 30, 1998
From: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee lpdc@idir.net
http://members.xoom.com/freepeltier/index.html
Tonight we received an alarming call from Leonard . I have known Leonard
since his capture from Lompoc when the FBI and prison administration sent
Robert Standing Deer to kill him. I then met up with him in Marion Federal
Prison where he was tortured. I know people don't talk much about the hell
Leonard has been enduring for the past 22 years. Leonard never whispered a
breath of pain and just endured as a good warrior.
But, tonight he broke and expressed the pain and the suffering he has been
living with because of the malicious medical treatment he received in
Springfield Federal Medical Center in Missouri. Leonard cannot chew or
move his jaw. He cannot eat a decent meal. The pain makes him dizzy. He said,
that it fells like there is something in his jaw and that the pain is
killing him. "I'm in pain, I'm in pain, I'm In pain" he kept saying. "Man,
I ain't joking brother, this is really killing me." I sat and looked at
Steve Robideau, Gina and Ronica and we all looked stunned. This is very
serious folks, Leonard needs to get out for proper medical treatment.
Leonard needs to see a qualified physician from outside of the prison
system. While there are plenty of good doctors, (the Mayo clinic has
agreed to provide their services) willing to see Leonard, the federal bureau of
prisons are not allowing him to see any of them even though it is his
legal right to do so. Now what we need is a qualified lawyer who practices in
Kansas to file a lawsuit against Leavenworth and ensure that Leonard is
able to see an outside doctor. What we do not want is for Leonard to be
transferred to Springfield where they have already came very close to
killing him. We are also concerned with the amount of radiation that
Leonard was receiving in the jaw area while he was there. It has been
noted by an independent physician that type of radiation is not normally used
for correcting Leonard's problem. If people write to the prison concerning
Leonard's health, be very clear in asking that Leonard be allowed to go to
the Mayo clinic and to express their serious concerns with him being sent
to Springfield.
Bobby/LPDC
Write letters to demand FREEDOM FOR LEONARD PELTIER NOW!
Clemency:
US Pardon Attorney
Roger C Adams
500 First Street N.W. Suite 400
Ref:Leonard Peltier #89637-132
Washington D.C. 20530
(202) 616-6070
President Bill Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20500
202-456-1111
Senate Hearings:
US Senator Orin Hatch, Chairman Judicial Committee
SD-224 1st and C Sts., NE
Washington DC 20510
US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Chairman, Select Committee on Indian Affairs
SH-838 1st and C Sts., NE
Washingtion DC 20510
Letters for Leonard: (money can be sent to Leonard in the form of US Postal
money orders. He must buy his own phone cards and his communication with
the outside has proven to be life saving. He can also receive photos if
they are not Polaroid.)
USLP
Leonard Peltier
#89637-132
PO Box 1000
Leavenworth, KS 66048
******************************************
International Office of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE-- May 21, 1998
Strengthening the fight for clemency:
In 1993 we filed for Executive Clemency.
Normally six to eight months elapse before a response from the president
is given. It has now been nearly fiveyears and we have heard nothing.
Numerous resolutions from the European
Parliament, the Belgium parliament, the Canadian Parliament, tribal
councils, local governments, Nobel Peace Prize winners etc. in support of
Leonard have been passed, millions of people from here and abroad have
written letters to Clinton and other governmental officials, and yet we
have heard nothing. We must put pressure on government officials in every
possible way to continue the fight for clemency. This can be done through
continued lobbying as well as grass root political action.
Senate hearing investigations:
We are currently pushing for Senate hearings that would investigate and
expose the illegal role of the FBI in both the Peltier case and the Pine
Ridge murders. These hearings are crucial to ensure that clemency for
Peltier is granted. Other groups, such as the Black Panthers, who have
political prisoners as a result of the FBI's COINTELPRO are also seeking
similar hearings. The fight to release all political prisoners will be
strengthened as the FBI's illegal interference in political struggles is
revealed.
Addition to legal team:
Criminal lawyer, Tony Serra has agreed to join Leonard's legal team. Tony
Serra represented and won the cases of both Native American Bear Lincoln
and Hooty Croy. Serra was able to obtain a not guilty sentence for Croy on an
appeal after he had been sentenced to death. He also won a not guilty
verdict for Bear Lincoln whose case was quite similar to Leonard's.
Needless to say, we are happy to have him join us as he will be an asset
to the fight to free Leonard Peltier.
May 4th Parole Hearing:
According to Leonard Peltier, the May 4th parole hearing was a complete
set-up in which the decision had been made before he and his attorneys had
even arrived. None of his attorneys were allowed to speak at the hearing
and Leonard said they made some amazing statements such as, "We spoke with one
of the agent's wives and she wants you to die in here. You will not
receive another parole hearing until 2008 then we'll take it from there." "The
government can't prove who is responsible for the agents' deaths, but
someone has to pay." Representing him was Carl Nadler, Jim Leonard, Ramsey
Clark, and Mamie Rupnicke of the Prairie Band Potawatomi. Leonard said
that it made no difference who was representing him, it was a set-up.
Leonard has said that he has no faith in the system, neither should we. It
is up to us to get him out. The attorneys are filing for a rebuttal now
but we have not heard anything yet. When we do we will let you know.
Come show
your outrage at the June 27th demonstration at D.C.
Leonard's current health status:
Leonard needs to see a qualified physician from outside of the prison
system. While there are plenty of good doctors, (the Mayo clinic has
agreed to provide their services) willing to see Leonard, the federal bureau of
prisons are not allowing him to see any of them even though it is his
legal right to do so. Now what we need is a qualified lawyer who practices in
Kansas to file a lawsuit against Leavenworth and ensure that Leonard is
able to see an outside doctor. What we do not want is for Leonard to be
transferred to Springfield where they have already came very close to
killing him. We are also concerned with the amount of radiation that
Leonard was receiving in the jaw area while he was there. It has been noted by an
independent physician that that type of radiation is not normally used for
correcting Leonard's problem. If people write to the prison concerning
Leonard's health, be very clear in asking that Leonard be allowed to go to
the Mayo clinic and to express their serious concerns with him being sent
to Springfield.
Upcoming event:
June 27th:
Although the anniversary of the Pine Ridge shoot out is on June 26th, we
decided to have the DC demonstration on the 27th in order to allow more
people to participate. (There will be a strategy meeting on June 26th in
DC). After the way Leonard's May 4th parole hearing was handled, it is
very important that all make special effort to come to this event so that we
can show our outrage with the continued abuse and corruption of the injustice
system. Leonard has no faith in the system and neither should we. The
government has again admitted that they do not know who shot the agents.
Let's show Leonard and the rest of the world that this fight is no where
near being over and that we will not go away.
The demonstration will be from 12pm-5pm at Ellipse Park in front of the
white house. Lakota elder, David Chief will be opening the event with a
ceremony and drumming. Speakers include Steve Robideau of the LPDC, Laura
Serrano of SAIIC, a representative from the United American Indians of New
England, Lakota Jean Bordeaux, Robert Pictou Branscombe, Anna May Aquash's
cousin, Pam and Ramona Africa of the MOVE organization, Bobby Castillo of
the LPDC, Keith Mc Henry of Food Not Bombs, and special guest, Robbi
Robertson, music and more.
You can make a camping reservation at Green Belt National Park by calling
1800-365-2267. If you make a reservation, let us know so that we can
figure out about how many people will be there. Food will be provided by Food Not
Bombs.
What you can do:
Start or join a local support group in your community. Support groups are
important elements in the struggle to free Leonard. Write letters and
encourage others to write letters to govt. officials. Organize ways to
create more awareness around the case. Show videos, distribute literature,
organize demonstrations and benefits, etc. Organize and plan to attend the
June 27th demo in DC. Raise funds for Chiapas and for LPDC. Our
supporters' donations allow us to keep the office running.
THANK YOU for your support!
-LPDC
The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee is in dire need of funds. Please
consider making a donation to help free this innocent man. No amount is
too small. Please send checks or money orders to LPDC, PO Box 583,
Lawrence, KS 66044. Thank you!
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