(An unofficial report from one participant)
The morning was cloudy bright and steamy, typical for a summer day in
Piscataway country. By 9:OO AM, a few hundred people were milling around
one square of Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, in
front of a small platform with microphones. Many of us had marched there
the year before; there were hugs and greetings all around. Already Ron
Lessard (director of the Leonard Peltier Freedom Campaign, and local
coordinator of the event) and a volunteer stage crew were hard at work,
trying to get the necessary electricity turned on for the microphones.
Still more volunteers walked through the group with sage and sweetgrass
for smudging, and several men gathered around a drum in front of the
stage. Unannounced, they quietly began the event with Leonard's honor
song, which we would hear and sing several times throughout the day.
An elder stepped to the front microphone and waited several minutes
as the gathering crowd silenced. He introduced himself as Semu Huaute, a
Chumash, from southwest California. Grandfather Semu had recently visited
Leonard in Leavenworth. He had been allowed to carry his medicine bundle
into the prison and perform a healing ceremony there. He and two other
traditional medicine men have offered to perform cleansing ceremonies for
Leonard on his release. Grandfather Semu believes that the time for
radical and harsh actions and words is past, and that healing must begin.
His words were echoed throughout the day by Ron Lessard and others, who
are working within the system to free Leonard.
The next speaker was Daphne Irwin, long-time companion of Louis
Irwin, Leonard's spiritual advisor who died some months ago. She had
brought Leonard's staff, which usually stands outside the sweat lodge at
the Irwin home. Many of us recalled meeting Louis at the rally last year,
when he opened the ceremonies, and stayed throughout the day, despite the
fact that he was weak from cancer treatments at the time.
Ron Lessard made announcements, and then Lisa Faruolo, director of
the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, came to the mike. She asked us for
a moment of silence to honor three members of Leonard's extended family
who had died in the last year. These included Louis Irwin, Lew Gerwitz,
Leonard's lawyer since the days of Oglala, and Hazel Littlehawk, Leonard's
adopted mother.
Lisa then read a statement from Leonard, in which he spoke out
against all violence against innocent people. He told about how his
supporters give him hope, and thanked us for helping to keep his spirit
intact. Lisa asked us to continue the struggle for Leonard's freedom.
Christine Rice of the Washington DC AIM field office then read a
statement from Dennis Banks, who was unable to attend the event.
The next speaker was Bruce Gerwitz, brother of Lew Gurwitz, who spoke
about his brother's long years of work in Leonard's cause. Lew died last
year while participating in an event put on by the Lubicon Cree of Canada,
with whom he also been working.
Bruce introduced his brother Shep Gurwitz, who rallied the growing
crowd with a stirring plea that we continue fighting injustice, and that
we demand Leonard's freedom.
The drum group then led the crowd in several songs, including
Leonard's honor song, and a song to honor other warriors in the struggle.
Ron then introduced Aaron Two Elk, an Oglala Lakota from Wounded
Knee, who has been with AIM since 1968. He spoke of the continuing racism
against Indians and the injustices that are still being perpetrated, such
as the desecration of burial sites and other sacred lands, the racism
perpetrated in the use of Indian names for mascots and to promote
commercial products, the stereotypical portrayal of Natives by the media,
and the misuse and commericialism of sacred ceremonies.
Santos Suarez Hawksblood, AIM member and Chiracaua Apache, was the
next speaker. He introduced a group of Pasamaquoddy who shared an honor
song.
The next speaker was chief Billy Tayac of the Piscataway, and a long
time friend of Leonard's. He told us about visiting Leonard when he was
in the prison in Marion, where government agents tried to get another
prisoner to kill him. Although many of us were already familiar with the
well-documented incident, it was a reminder to us all that Leonard's
personal safety is always endangered while he remains in custody.
By now it was nearing midday, and the sun was beating down on the
still growing crowd. Some of us sought shelter under the few trees
surrounding the square. Ron came back to the microphone, and read a
letter from the Robert Kennedy Memorial Center, asking President Clinton
to grant executive clemency to Leonard. Ron told us that the European
parliament had also requested that executive clemency be granted, and how
many members of Congress are coming forward to speak in Leonard's favor
and ask for clemency.
After more songs by the drum, Ron introduced Lee Hill, a lawyer
currently working on Leonard's defense. He told us of the various legal
activities being carried on, including recent motions filed with the 8th
district federal court. Copies of briefs and motions filed on Leonard's
behalf are available from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (telephone
number 914-842-5774, in Lawrence, Kansas).
Wild cheers erupted with the introduction of the next speaker, long
time peace activist David Dellinger, who has been one of Leonard's
staunchest supporters. He spoke of re-dedicating himself to the fight for
Leonard's freedom. Dave told us how he recently learned that Hilary
Clinton considered him "one of her heroes", and made a public appeal to
Hilary that she convince her husband to grant Leonard his freedom
immediately. He also talked about the possibility of civil disobedience
events that may take place during the annual October fasting (from 10/1 to
10/12 of each year). The two demands activists and supporters will make
during this year's fast will be that the "Columbus Day" holiday be renamed
Indigenous People's Day, and that Leonard be freed.
Next, Lisa read a statement of support from actor Peter Coyote. Then
Ron read a statement of support from Robert Redford, followed by letters
requesting executive clemency from Senator Inouye of Hawaii, and
Congressman Clay of Missouri. Delegate Clay had sent a copy of his letter
to all the members of Congress, asking that they participate in the 3-day
Peltier event. The readings were followed by some song and poetry
performances from Peltier supporters.
By now, the crowd was visibly suffering from the effects of the sun
and heat, and during the performances, some of the park sprinklers went
on, soaking many participants and their belongings. Shep Gurwitz came
back to pump up the crowd again, reminding them that no matter how
uncomfortable we might be, Leonard would be more than willing to change
places with any one of us. We gathered around the drum for more songs.
The afternoon was winding down when Ron Lessard asked us to gather in
a circle. Several hundred people joined hands and the circle grew to
encompass a large area of the park, including the drum and the stage. A
final prayer for healing and for Leonard's release and support was offered
by Spotted Eagle, the son of Cherokee elder Rolling Thunder. Clouds were
thickening as he spoke, and when the drum began the final rendition of
Leonard's honor song, a huge bolt of lightning flashed in the sky and the
thunder joined the drum. A light rain began to fall on the crowd, who
turned their faces to the sky as one of the drum members offered a pipe
that had been smoked that morning in a prayer for Leonard Peltier. The
day of prayer was over.
Reporter's note: This event was the opening of three days of "Peltier
Weekend" which included a benefit concert Sunday night, an educational
forum and strategy session on Monday, and a press conference on Tuesday
morning. This has been an unofficial observational report. For more
information on what you can do to help free Leonard Peltier, or to learn
more about his case, contact the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee in
Lawrence, KS, at 913-842-5774, or the Leonard Peltier Freedom Campaign,
Washington, DC, at 202-842-2495.
WoodOwl@aol.com (Deanna)