This press release came to me in the mail:
June 26th 1993 will mark the 18th anniversary of the shoot-out at
the Jumping Bull residence on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation
in SD. Three men died that day, two FBI agents and a young Indian.
The death of Joseph Stuntz, the Indian man, was never investigated.
The deaths of the agents resulted in the largest manhunt in
United States history and the merciless prosecution of an American
Indian Movement member, long time activist Leonard Peltier. LP
is the only person who was involved in the firefight, which included
about 40 Indian activists and over 150 FBI agents, BIA police, and
local law enforcement to serve time in prison for the events of that day.
In fact, he is currently serving a sentence of twice his natural life.
Years after his conviction, his defense team uncovered FBI documents that
proved the only supposed eyewitness to the crime was not only an
emotionally and mentally unblanced woman found "utterly incompetent" by
the court but FBI investigations found she had never been at the
Jumping Bull Ranch, ballistics evidence had been fabricated,
exculpatory evidence withheld, and witnesses coerced. The government
now concedes that there is no direct evidence liking Peltier to the
deaths of the agents. Senior Circuit Judge Gerald Heaney has written
the president urging a commutation of Peltier's sentence. Amnesty
International has recognized him as a political prisoner. Dozens
of member of both the House and Senate have called for a retiral and/or
thorough investigation into the activities of the FBI leading up to
and including his trial. His nomination of this year's Nobel
Peace Prize is gaining worldwide support. He is the subject of Robert
Redford's Incident at Oglala and Peter Matthiessen's book In the
Spirit of Crazy Horse. There is a feature film in the works as well
as a benefit album featuring some of today's hottest MTV bands.
On June 26th, people around the country will mobilize. Vigils,
benefits, protests, religious services, and rallies are planned
nationwide. We urge you to hear the voice of the public. Be there
to witness the support for Leonard Paltier, a man who has
sacrificed one third of his life in effort to save his people.
Distribution:
-- Andrew Rose andyrose@netcom.com FAX end killing