The Greatness of a Man is Measured By His Heart

"The Greatness of a Man is Measured by His Heart …
and by this, he is called “Warrior”
by Sandy Chartrand Webb

He is a human rights advocate. He contributes to social welfare organizations such as World Peace and Prayer Day, the First Nation Student Association, the Buffalo Trust Fund and the Trail of Hope (a Native American conference dealing with drug and alcohol addiction).
He has been instrumental in getting people from different tribes, with a history of animosity, to come together in peace. He advocates a non-violent approach and has argued for respect for rights of others.
He established a scholarship for American Indian students seeking law degrees at New York University, and assisted in the establishment of a newspaper by and for Native people.
And he worked with Dr. Steward Selkin of New York on efforts to restructure the delivery of health care on reservations, including substance abuse programs.
His love for children manifests in ongoing clothing and toy drives, a Christmas gift drive, and sponsorship of a child in El Salvador and one in Guatemala through Childreach.
He is a father and grandfather.
And he is in prison.

In 1977, Leonard Peltier was tried and convicted in connection with the shooting deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Surrounded by 150 agents, GOONS, and law enforcement, 40 Native Americans and members of AIM (American Indian Movement) defended themselves and the Jumping Bulls, a traditional Lakota family. For a period of three years, more than sixty traditional tribal members had been murdered, and many more assaulted. Evidence indicated that the GOONS were responsible for the majority, assisted by the FBI with intelligence and even armor piercing ammunition.
There were no witnesses who saw the killings.
In fact, the FBI terrorized and coerced a woman into signing an affidavit stating that she was Mr. Peltier’s girlfriend and witness to the shootings. Truth is, she didn’t even know him.
The FBI also concealed a ballistics report showing that the shell casing could not have come from the alleged murder weapon.
And at the trial, roughly 3,500 pages relating to the investigation were made available to the defense by the FBI.
Leonard’s attorneys have since discovered the existence of an additional 142,579 pages still withheld by the FBI - in spite of numerous attempts to secure these documents via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). AND, as of February 20, 2007, Michael Kuzma and Barry A. Bachrach, counsel for Mr. Peltier, have learned of another 15,264 pages being held in the Portland, Oregon FBI field office.
In 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit declared that, “Much of the government’s behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are undisputed.”
And yet, the FBI continues to withhold thousands of pages of documents relating to Leonard Peltier.
In February, 2007, United States District Judge Donovan W. Frank and a three-judge panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit refused – in two separate decisions – to order the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to release these long-hidden documents.
Claims by the FBI that release of such information would cause serious damage to the national security of the United States and the war on transnational terrorism were upheld by both Judge Frank and the Appeals Court.

Thirty-one years have passed. Mr. Peltier sadly became an elder behind bars, traditionally an honor of high standing among his people.
At 62 years of age, Leonard Peltier sits in an 8’ x 8’ cell, still in maximum security.
At one time he got word that someone had been hired inside the prison to murder him. So, he tried to escape. He was transferred to another prison, and received yet another sentence for the escape attempt, added onto the existing two life sentences.
But, in spite of a grim existence, denial of freedom, few visitors, and a stroke, Leonard has hope. His powerful belief in truth and self, manifests in his magnificent paintings, portraits of strong, colorful dancers, autumn leaves from the memories of a past life, and in the eyes of a weathered but wise mentor and elder. For Leonard, freedom is his creativity and ability to paint from his soul.
In a self-portrait, an older Leonard with graying hair, a slight paunch, and pensive eyes, sits on the floor of his cell. His gaze reaches through broken bars on his cell window to a sacred Eagle, appearing from within a red tunnel, clutching handcuffs. But, the handcuffs are open!
It is Leonard’s vision of freedom. It is his hope.

Defending the traditions of his people was what he, and others, believed was honorable. Sometimes one must take a stand, and fight the fight.
Yes, Leonard is a Warrior. But not as we would think. Leonard is a Warrior in the traditional sense – measured by how many people one cares for. It is not just protection of his people … it is feeding, clothing, and supporting. It is loving.
The greatness of a man is measured by his heart. And by this, he is called “Warrior”.

So, what can WE do? How can WE show the measure of our heart? How can WE stand for Truth and Justice?
We can request – no, demand – that all FBI documents withheld by the government rightfully be made available to Leonard Peltier’s attorneys immediately. Secured in hidden files in numerous FBI field offices throughout the United States, 157,843 pages are yet to be revealed. Until February 20, 2007, the government insisted that all files had been destroyed. When Messrs Kuzma and Bachrach discovered the files’ existence, it was then claimed by the government that all of the documents were misfiled under another name, not that of Leonard Peltier.
“The courts are unwilling to dispense justice when it comes to Leonard Peltier,” says Michael Kuzma. “How can anyone claim that Leonard Peltier received a fair trial in 1977 when the government withheld, and continues to withhold, thousands and thousands of pages of FBI documents?”
Some of the offices with numerous files include Seattle (3,200 pages), Omaha (2,861 pages), Milwaukee (9,654 pages), Minneapolis (90,000 pages) and many more.

After a long 31 years of illegal imprisonment, is it not time for the truth to be revealed? Is it not time for Leonard Peltier to see a blue sky, touch the earth, and kiss the faces of his family?
WHAT YOU CAN DO – visit http://www.leonardpeltier.net/, send a copy of the letter already written for you ( Please scroll to sample letters section) – or write your own – to your Representatives in the House and Senate requesting him/her to fight for the release of all hidden FBI documents in the field office nearest you. A list of all FBI field offices, the number of pages being withheld, and the name(s) of your Representatives are provided for you after the Sample letter section.

Sample letters provided by Leonard Peltier Defense Committee:

Please clicke here for sample letters and campaign information:

http://lpdctexas.blogspot.com/2007/03/campaign-to-secure-release-of-leonard.html

Text of sample letters:

Sample Letter for House of Representatives:
Please click here to locate the names of your representative in the House:

www.house.gov.

Date

The Honorable_____________U. S, House Of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515RE:

LEONARD PELTIER FBI FILES

Dear Congressman_______________:
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Leonard Peltier. Mr. Peltier is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, for the deaths of two FBI agents, which occurred at the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota on June 26, 1975. Although he was imprisoned, his trial was unfair, and 31 years later Mr. Peltier still maintains his innocence.Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist who is considered by Amnesty International, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, National Congress of American Indians, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former U. S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, among many other leaders, organizations, and private citizens to be a political prisoner who should be immediately released from prison.
In 2003, the United States Court of Appeal for the Tenth Circuit stated that, “Much of the government’s behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed.” Peltier v. Booker, 348 F. 3d 888, 896 (10th Cir. 2003).

I have just learned that the (insert name of city of the FBI field office you are writing about) Field Office of the FBI possesses (insert number of pages)

( Please scroll to list of Withheld Files and FBI office)

of material pertaining to Mr. Peltier. The U. S. Justice Department had an obligation under the law to turn over this information to Mr. Peltier’s attorneys in 1977 at the time of his trial, but it did not.

Prosecutors merely released 3,500 pages of material to Mr. Peltier’s defense attorneys in 1977. The FBI and Justice Department, however, have now indicated that there are actually 157,843 pages of FBI documents relating to Mr. Peltier. Much of this data has never been seen by Mr. Peltier or his attorneys. All FBI files dealing with Mr. Peltier ought to be released without any further delay. The public has a right to know what is contained in these FBI files. What possible rationale explanation could possibly exist for withholding from Mr. Peltier and the public documents that are over three decades old?

Please use your influence to push for the full release of all FBI files relating to Mr. Leonard Peltier.
May I hear from you concerning this matter at your earliest possible convenience. I anxiously await your reply.

Thank you.
Yours truly,
signature

Your Name (Print)

SAMPLE LETTER FOR U.S. SENATE
Please click here to locate the name of your senator:
www.senate.gov

Date
The Honorable_____________United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510RE:
LEONARD PELTIER FBI FILES
Dear Senator_______________:
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Leonard Peltier. Mr. Peltier is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, for the deaths of two FBI agents, which occurred at the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota on June 26, 1975. Although he was imprisoned, his trial was unfair, and 31 years later Mr. Peltier still maintains his innocence.

Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist who is considered by Amnesty International, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, National Congress of American Indians, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former U. S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, among many other leaders, organizations, and private citizens to be a political prisoner who should be immediately released from prison.

In 2003, the United States Court of Appeal for the Tenth Circuit stated that, “Much of the government’s behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed.” Peltier v. Booker, 348 F. 3d 888, 896 (10th Cir. 2003).

I have just learned that the (insert name of city of the FBI field office you are writing about) Field Office of the FBI possesses (insert number of pages)

(Please scroll to list of Withheld Files and FBI OFFICESof material pertaining to Mr. Peltier. )

The U. S. Justice Department had an obligation under the law to turn over this information to Mr. Peltier’s attorneys in 1977 at the time of his trial, but it did not.

Prosecutors merely released 3,500 pages of material to Mr. Peltier’s defense attorneys in 1977. The FBI and Justice Department, however, have now indicated that there are actually 157,843 pages of FBI documents relating to Mr. Peltier. Much of this data has never been seen by Mr. Peltier or his attorneys. All FBI files dealing with Mr. Peltier ought to be released without any further delay. The public has a right to know what is contained in these FBI files. What possible rationale explanation could possibly exist for withholding from Mr. Peltier and the public documents that are over three decades old?

Please use your influence to push for the full release of all FBI files relating to Mr. Leonard Peltier. May I hear from you concerning this matter at your earliest possible convenience. I anxiously await your reply.

Thank you.

Yours truly,
signature
Name ( Print)

LIST OF FBI FIELD OFFICES MAINTAINING RECORDS RELATING TO LEONARD PELTIER AND/OR RESMURS FBI
Field Office Number of Pages
Albany, NY - 64 pages
Albuquerque, NM - 3,550 pages
Anchorage, AK - 80 pages
Atlanta, GA - 535 pages
Baltimore, MD - 30 pages
Birmingham, AL - 200 pages
Boston,MA - 1,088 pages
Charlotte, NC - 50 pages
Chicago, IL - 2,525 pages
Cincinnati, OH - 19 pages
Cleveland, OH - 711 pages
Columbia, SC - 200 pages
Dallas, TX - 700 pages
Denver, Co - 2,671 pages
Detroit, MI - 40 pages
El Paso, TX - 37 pages
Honolulu, HI - 410 pages
Houston, TX - 300 pages
Indianapolis, IN - 275 pages
Jackson, MS - 350 pages
Kansas City, MO - 431 pages
Knoxville, TN - 400 pages
Las Vegas, NV - 954 pages
Little Rock, AR - 200 pages
Los Angeles, CA - 2,300 pages
Louisville, KY - 20 pages
Memphis, TN - 221 pages
Milwaukee, WI - 9,654 pages
Minneapolis, MN - 90,000 pages
Miami, FL - 200 pages
Mobile, AL - 400 pages
New York, NY - file is missing
Norfolk, VA - 400 pages
Omaha, NE - 2,861 pages
Oklahoma, OK - 2,075 pages
Philadelphia, PA - 465 pages
Pittsburgh, PA - 400 pages
Phoenix, AZ - 1,268 pages
Portland, OR - 15,264 pages
Richmond, VA - 82 pages
Sacramento, CA - 2,550 pages
San Antonio, TX - 77 pages
San Diego, CA - 723 pages
San Francisco, CA - 3,700 pages
San Juan, PR - 200 pages
Saint Louis, MO - 2,020 pages
Salt Lake City, UT - 1,500 pages
Seattle, WA - 3,200 pages
Springfield, IL - 374 pages
Tampa, FL - 330 pages
Washington, DC - 1,000 pages


Thank you,
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
3800 N. Mesa # A2
El Paso Texas 79902
Website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
email: info@leonardpeltier.net
























You may also contact the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee at info@leonardpeltier.net, or by calling (915) 533-6655.