Tribal leaders are calling on President Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, who has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years.
Orlando: A group of over 120 tribal leaders is asking President Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier. He’s been in federal prison for 49 years and is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
The letter, which came out on Monday from NDN Collective, has signatures from many tribal chairpersons and leaders from across Indian Country. They’re all backing Peltier’s case.
At 80 years old, Peltier is currently at a maximum-security prison in Florida. He holds the title of the longest-serving Native American political prisoner in U.S. history.
The tribal leaders pointed out serious issues with Peltier’s conviction. They mentioned that he’s been serving time for a crime that the government has admitted it couldn’t prove. They believe his conviction wouldn’t stand up in court today.
Notable signers include Frank Star Comes Out from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Mark Macarro from the National Congress of American Indians. They’re all pushing for action on this important issue.
In their letter, they reminded Biden of his past support for Native issues. They stressed that allowing Peltier to die in prison goes against the values of freedom and justice that the U.S. stands for.
Peltier’s past includes surviving the Indian boarding school system. His trial had many problems, including violations of his rights, which even some in the prosecuting office now acknowledge. They’re now supporting his release.
