Tents of all descriptions were clustered in a serene
clearing in the forested campground in Northern Virginia.
Although people had been gathering there since mid-week, the
major activities began Saturday afternoon, with several
hours of speakers and drumming, and a huge potluck dinner
which included buffalo stew and fry bread. Smudges were
circulated as Bobby Castillo, international spokeperson for
the LPDC (Leonard Peltier Defense Committe) and lead
coordinator and M. C. of the event, called for drummers and
singers. The ceremonies were opened with a prayer by Louis
Irwin, a Mandan elder who conducts sweats in Leavenworth for
Leonard and others.
Saturday's speakers included:
Bob Robideau, co-defendant with Leonard;
David Hill of Oklahoma AIM, who brought several horses all
the way from Oklahoma, riding through cities along the
route to garner publicity for the weekend;
Ron Lessard of Virginia AIM, who coordinated local planning;
Lou Gurwitz, legal counsel for Leonard and the LPDC;
Lisa Faruolo of the LPDC, Leonard's fiancee;
Santos Hawks Blood Suarez of Texas AIM;
Renee DeGrasse, executive director of the coalition of
LPSG's (Leonard Peltier Support Groups) and local event
planner;
Frits Terpstra from the Netherlands, from the European LPSG;
Steve Robideau, founder of the LPDC;
David Chief, Lakota elder and spiritual leader;
Joe Chasing Horse, Lakota spiritual leader;
Nathan Chasing Horse, Joe's son, Lakota spiritual leader and
actor;
Kenny King of Pennsylvania AIM;
and a few others whose names I missed.
Lisa Faruolo read a moving statement from a Lakota woman
named Lavonne White, of Pine Ridge, who began a fast on June
17th, and who pledges to fast until President Clinton agrees
to review Leonard's case, or until her death. She also told
of an LPSG member in England, Zoe Lightfoot, who was jumping
from an airplane that day to help call attention to
Leonard's case. The elders and spiritual leaders shared
prayers and traditional songs in Lakota. Lou Gurwitz shared
what was undoubtedly the most optimistic and important
recent legal development affecting Leonard. This concers the
legal petition for the Canadian government to reconsider
Peltier's extradition in 1976, as the "evidence" that
resulted in the extradition was admittedly fabricated.
According to Gurwitz, if the extradition is overturned, the
law says the "status quo" prior to the extradition must be
restored, which means that Leonard would have to be returned
to Canada, where there are no charges against him, and he
would be a free man in Canada.
During the social period after the speeches, newsletters and
petitions circulated, the most impressive output coming from
the LPSG of Region IV, based in Chicago. Finally, hundreds
lined up for the feasting, which was followed by
announcements regarding Sunday's schedule and plans.
******************************************************
We gathered early Sunday morning at the Foggy Bottom metro
station landing. There were dozens of banners and flags.
Red and black Peltier and AIM T-shirts predominated, but
several wore regalia or traditional dress.
Approximately five hundred people were lined up to begin
marching, when the Oklahoma contingent rode up on horses
which included all the four sacred colors, to lead the way
down Pennsyvania Avenue. The drum started, and the slow
drumming and singing continued throughout the length of the
march. The sun was burning brightly by the time we arrived
at Lafayette Square in front of the White House and, led by
the horseback riders, gathered in a circle. The opening
pipe ceremony was conducted by Joe Chasing Horse and Louis
Irvin, with Kathy Peltier, Leonard's daughter, blessing the
tobacco for the pipe. Although President Clinton had not
accepted our offer to share the pipe, nothing diminished the
prayers and the spirit with which it was offered. The crowd
was reminded that the sacred pipe would remain filled
throughout the day, and that we should conduct ourselves
accordingly.
The rally began immediately afterward, with a prayer by
David Chief, and an opening statement from Leonard Peltier
read by Lisa Faruolo. It was hot, and while the sunny area
in front of the stage was quickly filled by the younger set,
the elders gathered in the shady spots nearby.
The line-up of speakers, which was interspersed throughout
the day by traditional drumming and singing, and musical
entertainment, was impressive. It included Chief Billy
Tayak, Piscataway, of the Mid-Atlantic AIM; Bobby Castillo;
Leonard's mother, Elvina Showers; Steve Robideau; Kathy
Peltier; David Dellinger, a long-time activist; Peter
Mattheissen, author of the book "In the Spirit of Crazy
Horse" about Leonard's case; Carter Kemp, founder of
Oklahoma AIM; David Hill; Santos Hawks Blood Suarez; Kenny
King; Lisa Faruolo; Carlos Jiminez of Amnesty International;
and Dennis Banks, AIM founder, who urged Leonard's
supporters to help with the Walk for Justice, which
culminates in Washington D.C. on July 16th. Contributing
musicians included Mercy River from New Jersey, Paul Carlos,
Dale Silverbird of Alburquerque, and Kris Kristofferson, a
long-time Peltier supporter.
A high point of the rally was the arrival of hundreds of
Peltier and Peltier weekend T-shirts, trucked in by Michelle
Vignola of the LPDC. The bales of T-shirts were immediately
surrounded by a crowd eager to snap them up. If you want
one of the few remaining (a bargain at $15), contact the
LPDC at 913-842-5774.
The day's events ended with the closing pipe ceremony,
conducted by David Chief, Louis Irwin, and Kathy Peltier.
Afterwards, David Chief and Louis Irwin carried the eagle-
feather staff, which had graced the rally stage throughout
the day, across the street to the front of the White House.
The Leonard Peltier Freedom Rally of 1994 is over, but
Leonard is still in prison. Please write to President
Clinton urging him to grant clemency. Send your letter to
the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C,
20500, or fax it to 202-456-2461. The Internet E-mail
address is clinton@whitehouse.gov, or you can make a voice
call to 202-456-1111.
Unofficial report and observations
by Deanna, 1-5068@wwivgw.ness.com