FREEDOM TO OAXACAN POLITICAL PRISONER

[different article, and words from a letter from David, in english below]

THOUGH DAVID VENEGAS REYES HAS BEEN LEGALLY ABSOLVED OF HIS 'CRIMES' AGAINST THE MEXICAN STATE, [FABRICATED EVIDENCE] THE GROUP VOCAL (OAXACAN VOICES CONSTRUCTING AUTONOMY AND FREEDOM) SAYS (below in green): Likewise we will continue fighting for the freedom of political prisoners of Oaxaca and being in solidarity with the pain of the political prisoners of Mexico and of the world. We invite you to continue to walk with us united not only for the freedom of our political prisoners if not for the fundamental struggle for JUSTICE, FREEDOM, DIGNITY, AND PEACE for our pueblos.

publicado por Contraimpunidad, martes 21 de abril de 2009

Libertad absoluta a alebrije

OBTENEMOS LIBERTAD ABSOLUTA PARA DAVID VENEGAS REYES “ALEBRIJE”

El día lunes 20 de Abril de este 2009, a las dos horas con treinta y cinco minutos de la tarde al fin fue dictada sentencia final a nuestro compañero David Venegas Reyes “alebrije” en el proceso penal relativo al delito fabricado de POSESION CON HIPOTESIS DE VENTA DE COCAINA Y HEROÍNA, ultimo proceso penal de los dos procesos penales con que lo mantuvo preso el mal gobierno del asesino Ulises Ruiz en el año 2007 y parte de 2008.

Después de once meses de estar en prisión y más de un año de libertad condicionada a firmar cada quince días ante el juzgado tercero de distrito, al fin el compañero ha recibido su sentencia final. A pesar de los retrasos en la sentencia y de las dilaciones a propósito que privaron en este proceso, de las presiones del mal gobierno del asesino Ulises Ruiz hacia el sistema judicial, al fin la contundencia de las pruebas mostradas por la defensa jurídica y sobre todo la presión popular que hizo el movimiento social en Oaxaca sobre el sistema judicial y de la presión que compañeros y compañeras de otros pueblos de México y del mundo han hecho también al sistema judicial, el juez Amado Chiñas Fuentes, juez tercero de distrito ha dictaminado

SENTENCIA ABSOLUTORIA TOTAL

De esta manera la inocencia de nuestro compañero en los delitos por los que fue preso once meses en el año 2007 Y 2008 queda totalmente demostrada, con lo que también queda demostrada la utilización del sistema de justicia del estado de Oaxaca y de México como instrumento de venganza política usada por los malos gobiernos estatal y federal para someter al movimiento social, pues esta SENTENCIA ABSOLUTORIA lejos de ser producto de la salud o rectitud del sistema judicial mexicano, fue arrancada por la fuerza del movimiento popular y con la solidaridad de compañeros y compañeras de todo México y varios pueblos del Mundo. El sistema judicial en México esta corrompido hasta sus entrañas y es un vil instrumento de los gobernantes en turno para someter y reprimir a quienes luchan por justicia y libertad.

Agradecemos fraternalmente la solidaridad incondicional que han tenido con nuestro compañero nuestros hermanos y hermanas del movimiento social Oaxaqueño de la Asamblea Popular de los pueblos de Oaxaca, y de los movimientos sociales de México y el mundo que se han solidarizado con nosotros.

Ratificamos antes ustedes compañeros y compañeras que no nos conformaremos con haber logrado la libertad incondicional de nuestro compañero y que al quedar demostrada la mentira del mal gobierno, iremos ahora por el encarcelamiento de los represores de nuestros pueblos de Oaxaca que tienen responsabilidad en esta detención arbitraria e ilegal, desde el policía que practico la detención y la represión directa hasta los jefes mas altos de estos esbirros. No nos mueve el odio ni el afán de revancha sino la búsqueda legitima de justicia para nuestros pueblos.

Asimismo seguiremos luchando por la libertad de los presos políticos de Oaxaca y solidarizándonos con el dolor de los presos políticos de México y el mundo.

Los invitamos a seguir caminando unidos y unidas como hasta ahora no solo en la lucha por la libertad de nuestros presos políticos sino en la lucha fundamental por JUSTICIA, LIBERTAD, PAZ, DIGNIDAD para nuestros pueblos.

¡LIBERTAD Y JUSTICIA PARA OAXACA!

¡LIBERTAD Y JUSTICIA PARA PALESTINA!

¡LIBERTAD Y JUSTICIA PARA ATENCO!

¡ALTO AL HOSTIGAMIENTO MILITAR A LOS ZAPATISTAS!

¡PRESOS POLITICOS LIBERTAD!

¡FUERA ULISES RUIZ ASESINO!

¡LA APPO VIVE LA LUCHA SIGUE!

FRATERNALMENTE

VOCES OAXAQUEÑAS CONSTRUYENDO AUTONOMIA Y LIBERTAD

Oaxaca de Magon, ciudad de la resistencia a 21 de abril de 2009

(mexico.indymedia.org)

some background, in english:
Sentencing Scheduled For David Venegas Reyes, anarkismo.net:

Sentencing scheduled for DAVID VENEGAS REYES “ALEBRIJE”, ex political prisoner and prisoner of conscience of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) and of Oaxacan Voices Constructing Autonomy And Freedom (VOCAL).

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY URGENTLY REQUESTED IN DEMANDING JUSTICE FROM OAXACA AUTHORITIES.

This coming April 6, 2009, after spending eleven months in prison and more than a year on parole with the obligation to report every two weeks, our comrade David Venegas Reyes will finally be sentenced in the last of two cases brought against him by the malevolent government of the killer Ulises Ruiz Ortiz in order to jail him and thereby keep him away from the APPO. On this date, he will be sentenced on the obviously trumped-up charge of possession with intent to sell cocaine and heroin, for which he was jailed on April 13, 2007.

Review of the facts:

On April 13, 2007, at approximately 12:30 in the afternoon, David was walking through El Llano Park in the city of Oaxaca with two other people when he was violently apprehended with no arrest warrant by a commando of hooded armed men riding in a red pickup without plates or any kind of police department logo. He was thrown into the pickup at gunpoint by agents brandishing long arms. David was then ridden around the city with his own bag placed over his head to cover his face, beaten, and threatened with forced disappeared if he didn’t talk. This went on for several hours before he was taken to the Preventive Police Headquarters, known as “los Pinos” (The Pines), in Santa María Coyotepec, Oaxaca, a place where serious human rights violations, murders and disappearances of social activists have been committed by the Army as well as federal and state police forces. At “los Pinos”, the beatings and threats continued, and he was forcibly photographed and videoed with the drugs planted on him by the police. All of this was ordered by the ex Director of the Auxiliary, Banking, Industrial and Commercial Police (PABIC), Alejandro Barrita Ortiz, well-known for his repression of the social movement. David was finally taken to the Street Sales Drug Unit (UMAN) of the Federal Attorney General’s Office, along with the drugs planted on him at “los Pinos!”.

After holding him there for two days, he was taken to the Santa María Ixcotel Prison in the City of Oaxaca, and as soon as he got there, was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and arson for allegedly burning eight buildings in downtown Oaxaca on November 25, 2006. These included the State Supreme Court Building, which, as everyone knows, was burned by the killer Ulises Ruiz Ortiz’s own government to do away with evidence of the injustices committed by the judicial system and to incriminate a number of different APPO comrades. These acts of brutal repression against members of the popular movement committed by the federal police force under orders of Vicente Fox and the state police forces under orders of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, on November 25, 2006, amounted to the worst case of mass human rights violations ever seen in Oaxaca, with almost 200 prisoners being transferred to a prison in the state of Nayarit, more than a thousand kilometers away from the land of Oaxaca.

After winning two protective orders and two appeals, and having his charges “reclassified”, David was finally released on March 5, 2008, in absence of any proof whatsoever of his guilt, and totally exonerated of the offenses of arson for the buildings burned on November 25. Nevertheless, his case for possession with intent to sell cocaine and heroin has dragged on despite government misconduct including intentional delays, serious omissions, lies, and a series of contradictions in the testimony of the arresting officers, all of which should be sufficient for winning his absolute freedom.

And so, today, we are mobilizing on his behalf and sending out this CALL for the solidarity of all the men and women, organizations, collectives, peoples, and labor unions of Oaxaca, Mexico, and the world to show your support for the absolute exoneration and freedom of David through protest actions and letters, phone calls, and faxes before the sentence is pronounced on April 6, 2009, at 10:45 a.m. in the Third Federal District Court in the city of Oaxaca:

We further call on you to sign the following statement as backing for the petition for justice in this case.

We continue to demand the exit of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz from the Oaxaca state government and will do so until the last day of his deadly regime. We will not rest in the struggle to achieve a deep, radical change in our society. At the same time, we extend our solidarity to the peoples throughout the world who are also struggling for a better world.

ULISES RUIZ, MURDERER, OUT NOW!
FREEDOM FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN OAXACA, MEXICO, AND THE WORLD!
PUNISHMENT FOR ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPRESSION AGAINST THE PEOPLES OF OAXACA!
THE APPO LIVES, THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!

Fraternally yours, OAXACAN VOICES CONSTRUCTING AUTONOMY AND FREEDOM (VOCES OAXAQUEÑAS CONSTRUYENDO AUTONOMIA Y LIBERTAD)

Send your endorsement to: vocal@riseup.net

Send letters to:

Juez Amado Chiñas Fuentes
Juez Tercero de Distrito del Décimo Tercer Circuito
Avenida Juárez 709
Colonia Centro
Ciudad de Oaxaca de Juárez
Oaxaca, México C.p. 68000

--AND FINALLY, FROM A LETTER DAVID WROTE WHILE IMPRISONED IN APRIL 2007:

I feel great happiness knowing that the mobilizations continue and will continue. We have to keep up the fight, without hatred towards those who want to keep us subdued- those of us who know we're in the right don't need to look into the ruins of hatred in our hearts to find the motivation to keep struggling. In each ancient face, in each of the movement's chants, in each graffiti image that appears in clandestine by the night, in each child, in each banner, and in each of us in prison- there are the noble reasons to continue fighting. I urge you never to abandon this struggle.

Just like no one knows what's best for a child like his mother, each individual, each collective, pueblo, city, and neighborhood knows what it needs to achieve a better life. Our destiny is in our hands. My imprisonment shows, in all its harshness, what the government is capable of doing to continue systematically repressing the movement of Oaxaca.

But even in the face of the repression, I hope that the exhaustion of our legs and throats never exceeds the intensity of our demand for justice and freedom for everyone- both those inside and outside of jail. I am deeply touched by the opportunity to communicate with all of the Oaxacan people- dignified by your rebellion. I want you to know that the walls of this prison are only enclosing my body, but that my spirit is with you, strengthening the morale of the rebellion, of freedom, of autonomy. The music of our chants that I heard you calling from outside the prison reached the inside of my cell. They remain deeply engraved in my heart.

I hope that this message reaches you, not like a cat that furtively climbs over the walls, but rather, as a giant that demolishes those walls, spreading the depth of my conviction- that this struggle is a just one, and that we will triumph in the end.

whether or not you believe in online petitions...

Subject: please spread the word about the online petition for mumia abu-jamal!!!!!!!!

Dear co-strugglers for Mumia,

this is our call for action - sign the online-petition to the Justices of the US Supreme Court.

We launched it at the beginning of March in Germany and Austria - and it is growing fast now.

It was already signed by Noam Chomsky, Frances Goldin, Robert Meeropol, Harold Wilson, Colin Firth, Anthony Arnove,

Marc Taylor, Julia Wright, Pam Africa, Veronica Jones, Lynne Stewart and so many others.

The updated letter with the 3500th signature was sent to the Justices this Easter monday, April 13.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/supreme/petition.html

Support Mumia in this most dangerous state of his life.

Please spread it as far as you can! Post it, send it around, use all your powerful means of creating news and attention.

Annette in Heidelberg, Germany
///
the text of the petition:
To: United States Supreme Court

To the Honorable Justices of the United States Supreme Court,
Chief Justice John Roberts,
Samuel Alito,
Stephen Breyer,
Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Anthony Kennedy,
Antonin Scalia,
David Hackett Souter,
John Paul Stevens,
Clarence Thomas,


Before you is the notorious case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, which is a difficult matter to deal with, a matter concerning fundamental fairness, as we are well aware.

But then - it offers the possibility to show some light at the end of the dark tunnel of racism that has been tainting America’s reputation in the world for a long time now.

We won’t go into all the contentious details of the case here.
To us, one thing is obvious: racism is the thread that runs through this case like a mismatching color in a fabric.
The blatant racism affronting America’s oft-stated core values of fairness and justice in this case has attracted widespread attention, including that of Amnesty International, which in 2000 dedicated a long report to this case, calling for a new trial, which it continues to do to this day.

The constitutionally guaranteed bedrock of a fair trial is a jury selected without bias, including racial bias. Undisputedly, the original trial started with only 3 and ended with 2 out of 12 jurors being African-Americans - in a city with then close to 40 percent Blacks. Prosecutor Joseph McGill used 10 of 15 peremptory strikes against blacks. This particular prosecutor’s strike pattern reflects impermissible race-based exclusions practiced by Philadelphia prosecutors during that era.

The racially loaded atmosphere at the time of Mr. Abu-Jamal’s trial in 1982 is sadly illustrated by the fact that later, an Assistant District Attorney for Philadelphia produced a training video for the city’s prosecutors about how to evade orders of this Court prohibiting prejudicial jury selection. Explicitly referring to the practices he recommends as ”the wisdom of the ages” and the long-standing custom of the city’s prosecutors, you can watch him say:

"Let's face it, the blacks from the low-income areas are less likely to convict. There's a resentment to law enforcement... You don't want those guys on your jury...
If you get a white teacher in a black school who's sick of these guys, that may be the one to accept."

The courts of a country that is rightly proud of its unique Constitution granting equal rights for all should be able do a lot better.

Whether or not Mr. Abu-Jamal is guilty or innocent is not the issue here.
The issue is a fair trial - a constitutional right denied this defendant during the last 27 years.

Right now and before your Court, Mr. Abu-Jamal isn’t even asking for a new trial. He is only asking that his well documented claim of racial bias during the original trial be fully and fairly heard and that your Court order appropriate consequences.

With all due respect and urgency we ask you to use your power as the Supreme Court of the United States to grant him all the legal procedures necessary to finally provide him justice.


****************

One core factual source among many for the above is:
www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/001/2000 (A Life in the Balance - the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, report by Amnesty International)

****************

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

imprisoned activist leonard peltier beaten upon transfer to different prison

i don't know how common it is for inmates to be beaten upon arrival at a new facility--unfortunately, i wouldn't be surprised if it is fairly routine...BUT that in no way makes it acceptable, and especially disgusting if the violence in prison is not only indirectly fueled by the violence OF prisons as an institution but more directly spurred by the FBI, as Leonard's sister suggests.

all of the following is from PhillyIMC

Leonard Peltier beaten at Canaan Federal Penitentiary, Pennsylvania

by whoisleonardpeltier.info | 01.21.2009

I am so OUTRAGED! My brother Leonard was severely beaten upon his arrival at the Canaan Federal Penitentiary. When he went into population after his transfer, some inmates assaulted him. The severity of his injuries is that he suffered numerous blows to his head and body, receiving a large bump on his head, possibly a concussion, and numerous bruises. Also, one of his fingers is swollen and discolored and he has pain in his chest and ribcage. There was blood everywhere from his injuries.

I am asking you, supporters of Leonard and advocates of justice at this time to help. I don't know what else to do. Please Help!

UPDATES: Jan22 — Don't Stop Calling | Jan24 — Emergency Protest Held for Leonard Peltier in SF

Dear LP Supporters

I am so OUTRAGED! My brother Leonard was severely beaten upon his arrival at the Canaan Federal Penitentiary. When he went into population after his transfer, some inmates assaulted him. The severity of his injuries is that he suffered numerous blows to his head and body, receiving a large bump on his head, possibly a concussion, and numerous bruises. Also, one of his fingers is swollen and discolored and he has pain in his chest and ribcage. There was blood everywhere from his injuries.

We feel that prison authorities at the prompting of the FBI orchestrated this attack and thus, we are greatly concerned about his safety. It may be that the attackers, whom Leonard did not even know, were offered reduced sentences for carrying out this heinous assault. Since Leonard is up for parole soon, this could be a conspiracy to discredit a model prisoner.

He was placed in solitary confinement and only given one meal, this is generally done when you won't name your attackers; incidentally being only given one meal seriously jeopardizes his health because of his diabetes. Prison officials refuse to release any info to the family, but they need to hear from his supporters to protect his safety, as does President Obama. His attorneys are trying to get calls into him now.

This attack on LP comes on the heels of the FBI's recent letter, prompting this attack by FBI supporters as an attempt to discredit LP as a model prisoner. Anyone who has been in the prison system knows well that if you refuse to name your attackers or file charges against them, then you lose your status as a victim and/or given points against your possible parole and labeled as a perpetrator.

It is not uncommon, in fact is quite common for the government to use Indian against Indian and they still operate under the old adage "it takes an Indian to catch an Indian." In 1978, they made an attempt to assassinate him through another Indian man who was also at Marion prison with LP. But Standing Deer chose to reveal the plot to him instead of taking his life in exchange FOR A CHANCE AT FREEDOM. When Standing Deer was released in 2001, he joined the former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee as a board member. He also began to speak on Leonard's behalf until his murder six years ago today. Prior to his murder, Standing Deer confided with close friends and associates that the same man who visited him in Marion to assassinate Peltier, had came to Houston, TX and told him that he had better stay away from Peltier and anything to do with
him.

We are aware that currently, the FBI is actively seeking support for his continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and also also seeking support from Native People. So please be aware, and keep Leonard in your prayers. The FBI is apparently afraid of the impact we are having. If they will set him up to blemish his record just before a parole hearing, what will they do when it looks like his freedom will become a reality? We need to make sure that nothing happens to him again!

Please write the President, send it priority or registered mail. Email to Change.gov or email President Obama. Call your congressional representatives and write letters, not email, to them. Do what you can to get the word out to insure that LP is receiving adequate medical attention for his injuries.

I am asking you, supporters of Leonard and advocates of justice at this time to help. I don't know what else to do. Please Help!

Thank you
Betty Peltier-Solano
Executive Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

Also call and request Leonard be treated with dignity and respect.
Canaan Federal Prison
570-488-8000

If you call the prison on Leonard's behalf you will need this register #:

LEONARD PELTIER 89637-132
____________________________________________________

Pursuant to Betty Ann Peltier Solano's letter about her brother,
let the Bureau of Prisons know that the public will hold them
accountable for the safety and well being of Leonard Peltier.

Warden Ronnie R. Holt
USP-Canaan
3057 Easton Turnpike
Waymart, PA 18472
Phone: 570-488-8000
Fax: 570-488-8130
E-mail address: CAA/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

D. Scott Dodrill, Director
Northeast Regional Office
Federal Bureau of Prisons
2nd & Chesnut Streets., 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-521-7301
E-mail: NERO/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Harley G. Lappin, Director
Bureau of Prisons
U.S. Department of Justice
320 First Street, NW, Room 654
Washington, DC 20534
Phone: 202-307-3250
Fax: 202-514-6878

----

My Relatives and Friends,

Last night a change in this country took place that not too long ago many people said would never happen. An African-American was elected to the White House and by a major landslide, which gives him a mandate by the public to fulfill his promises. This landslide indicates the people have placed their hope with this man they call their president for a change in this country.

HOPE. There have been times if I can even recall what it really means to have hope that justice is right around the corner. I've been mislead and disappointed so many times that I would soon see justice and to have it denied upon a technicality in legal appeals. Or like what happened eight years ago. Everyone placed their hope and trust with a couple named Bill and Hillary, but we were betrayed at the last minute. I know that many of my friends, family and supporters were crushed. I began to feel the weight and pressure of a lifetime being unjustly imprisoned began to crowd me into a corner of my cell and then in my mind. But, it was this thing that has been our battle cry for so many years, "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse". I remembered what he stood for and remained a warrior until his last breath. It is a strength that we stand upon when we are right. We were right to be in Oglala and we were right to be prepared to defend ourselves. What wasn't right is that a jury never got to hear any of this testimony, and the rest of the trial was a product of the fabrication and then manipulation of the FBI. This spirit of Crazy Horse is a spirit of being in total resistance to the wrongs perpetuated towards your people, community, family and yourself. Some of us called it outrage, but that is just merely an emotion without resolving the issue. It is when we make a conscious choice to try and balance the wrongs in this society that we are being compelled by this spirit of resistance to stand in defense of the wronged.

That spirit cannot be conquered, and I refused to submit and give in when it appeared there may be no hope It was because of the letters of support and encouragement from so many people that I continued on for another eight years. And now people seem to feel there is a change blowing in the wind and that the election of Obama is a manifestation of that change.

I sincerely hope so, because I am now 64 years old and coming up on my 33 year of being confined and fighting for justice and my freedom, Obama may be my last chance at securing my freedom. If there is one thing I learned from earlier campaigns on my clemency is that he won't just be able to do it by himself. He is going to need your support in the form of public opinion on the case. That isn't going to happen until we can create education and awareness on the circumstances of my case across this country and send letters. Be a Branch Support Group to help create public opinion. My case has to be a national issue on justice denied, it may sound easy, but it isn't. The FBI has been an opposing force in attempting to discredit my cause and that of Native people since they focused their attention on the American Indian Movement in the 1970s. When it appeared that Clinton might actually grant clemency, the agents went and demonstrated at the White House and utilized their resources to create doubt in the mind of Clinton.

So in the national awareness goals of the branch support groups it is going to be your challenge to keep the public interest focused. It is also another hope that with a whole generation of people who were born after my wrongful conviction that there will be a renewed source of energy and actions.

One point that I would like everyone to focus on right now is a "30 year law" regarding my sentence and parole. At the time I was convicted, the guidelines said:

"Any prisoner, …shall be released on parole… after serving thirty years of each consecutive term or terms of more than forty-five years including any life term, whichever is earlier: Provided, however, That the Commission shall not release such prisoner if it determines that he has seriously or frequently violated institution rules and regulations or that there is a reasonable probability that he will commit any Federal, State, or local crime." 28 U.S.C. section 28 U.S.C. §4206(d)

I've served more than 30 years of this sentence and have been considered a model prisoner And the likelihood of committing any crimes is non-existent due to my age and the humanitarian work I've pursued to help my people since my incarceration. According to this law, they have to grant me a parole to my next sentence. But as we've learned from the past, we cannot take anything for granted so your letters should be focused on this law to the parole commission and congressional leaders. If the commission complies with the letter and spirit of this law, we will have made a significant step towards my freedom and we will need to maintain and increase this momentum.

The Committee and I have been discussing several ideas and projects to make this a pro-active campaign. We are currently rebuilding the former LPSG's into LPBSG's. This is necessary due to a breakdown with the former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. I had to turn to my sister and niece to help me rebuild my defense committee from scratch. We had no files, records, and merchandise. We have not been able to make contact with the former coordinator of the LPDC. We are still hoping to resolve this issue, but until then we needed to keep moving with the campaign.

We still need all of our former contacts and supporters to reconnect with us and to update the information so that my Committee can handle correspondences and contributions. We need everyone who has supported me to contact the LPDOC and sign onto our list serve so that you can be updated with information on progress or activities needed in my campaign.

I will need everyone to work with my Committee and clear any action with the appropriate people within the Committee. It is important that we all work together cohesively, instead of scattering our efforts or resources. We do not intend to discourage ideas or creativity, but we would like to incorporate such ideas into a unified larger effort and not act prematurely on some plans we may have not disclosed due to timing or details being worked out.

Some of the projects we have discussed are conducting rides, walks, runs and events across the country to create this awareness of my case. We are initiating efforts to ask bands and artists to host fundraisers in their area. We've talked about strategies we could undertake to further my cause, but a lot will depend on how quickly people come to form my BSG and start organizing in their area.

I also understand that some of us have personality issues with other people. I hope that many of you can pray or find a way to rise above this obstacle and work together for one common purpose. I would like to see so many of my supporters come together in a show of solidarity. If there really is a change in the air, we will need each other to bring about change in so many other areas. For me it has been about our culture and right to be who we are, but foremost it has been the children and the next generation. WE were supposed to leave a better world behind for them and how much have we accomplished? I know that somehow and someway my sacrifice will not be in vain and that the years I've endured this pain of loneliness and suffering in confinement will make a better world for those children and coming generations. That along with my freedom is my hope, but I will not be able to fulfill it without you. So take a few minutes and educate yourself on the injustices of my case. It may shock and outrage you, but you can do something about it, so join us.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Leonard Peltier