Dennis Banks and the participants of "Walk for Justice" are scheduled to
walk into Pueblo, Colo., within the next few days as part of their
3,000-mile march to protest the imprisonment of Leonard Peltier.
At this part of their journey, the walkers suffer from a lack of supplies,
and they desperately need assistance for food, clothing, gasoline and
other necessities.
Rose Baker of North Dakota is making posters to sell along the way to
raise funds for the walkers. She said the cost of producing the posters
is $1,400, which the group cannot afford to pay. Baker is also concerned
about U-Haul expenses that now total more than $800.
"Walk for Justice" originated in Alcatraz this past February, and walkers
will follow U.S. Highway 50 through the country until they arrive in
Washington D.C. this July. The number of participants fluxuates daily
as the group adds supporters to their entourage.
They collect petition signatures on the way to present to President
Clinton for Peltier's pardon. Peltier has served 18 years of two
consecutive life sentences for the deaths of two FBI agents during
a 1975 shootout on Pine Ridge Reservation. Although convicted,
evidence for Peltier's innocence didn't surface until until seven
years after his trial. U.S. Prosecutor Lynn Crook said in 1992,
"We don't know who killed the agents."
Anyone interested in assisting the "Walk for Justice" may send supply
donations and cash donations to "Walk for Justice" National Office,
P.O. Box 315, Newport, Ky. 41071. (Tel: 606-581-9456). Those interested
in helping to pay for poster expenses may send donations to SeaBar,
225 N. Main, Gunnison, Colo. 81230 att: "Walk for Justice" poster
fund.