Leonard Peltier Releases Letter from the Hole
‘The Government Wants Me to Die Here’
LEWISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – Leonard Peltier, Lakota, imprisoned for the past 35 years, has released a letter from solitary confinement, through his attorney. The letter is posted in its entirety on the website AIM WEST.
Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents who showed up on June 25, 1975 at a private residence in Oglala, South Dakota.
In the letter, Peltier writes about his placement in the hole, where he has been since June 27:
“Since June 27 the guards have had me in the hole, a small miserable cell with little air that is dangerously hot. They are torturing me by keeping me in solitary confinement-this is an effort to break and kill me. However, the public pressure being generated by my many supporters and counsel is making a real difference.”
He continues that “the government wants me to die here, but I’m not going to.”
As the letter continues, Peltier makes a plea for support of his defense fund so that his legal team, led by Robert R. Bryan from San Francisco can have the adequate funds to mount his defense.
True to his strong heritage as a warrior he concludes:
“I believe in the Spirit of Crazy Horse. They have imprisoned my body, but my spirit soars like an eagle. I will never give up, despite the threats to my health and life from this long imprisonment. I am an innocent man and will continue fighting against the genocide of my people.”
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http://www.aimwest.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=577:letter-from-leonard-asking-for-help&catid=35:political-prisoner-category&Itemid=53
Wednesday, 27 July 2011 19:25
Dear Friends,
For over 35 years I have been in federal prison for crimes I did not commit. Since June 27 the guards have had me in the hole, a small miserable cell with little air that is dangerously hot. They are torturing me by keeping me in solitary confinementthis is an effort to break and kill me. However, the public pressure being generated by my many supporters and counsel is making a real difference.
The government wants me to die in here, but I’m not going to. A dynamic new legal team with as lead attorney Robert R. Bryan of San Francisco has brought an innovative approach to the case. He is not going to let them continue to slowly execute me. Robert has launched a complex investigation spanning the entire country. The team also includes Nicole Gibier, my International Legal Liaison, and Cheryl J. Cotterill, associate legal counsel. With the leadership of Dorothy Ninham from the Oneida Reservation, Wisconsin, who I knew long before being arrested, and dedicated volunteers, we are rekindling the movement.
I am innocent. A racist jury tried me. A biased judge would not let me have a fair trial and the prosecution manufactured evidence including a supposed murder weapon. Later on October 15, 1985, the government admitted that it “can’t prove who shot those agents.” The judge would not even let me prove that the FBI intimidated and tortured witnesses and was engaged in a Reign of Terrora war against the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Robert’s experience, tenacity, and unbridled approach can once and for all win my freedom. He has won countless murder cases and has represented members of the American Indian Movement. Robert successfully defended Jimmy Eagle, indicted for the murder of the two FBI agents in the case for which I was wrongly convicted. He understands the struggle.
To succeed we must have money for my defense. We desperately need your help. Please make a contribution (and indicate that your donation is for the “Legal Defense”) to:
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488
Fargo, ND 58106
Your can also contact my attorney directly: RobertRBryan@gmail.com (Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan, 2107 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 203, San Francisco, California 94109-2572).
I believe in the Spirit of Crazy Horse. They have imprisoned my body, but my spirit soars like an eagle. I will never give up, despite the threats to my health and life from this long imprisonment. I am an innocent man and will continue fighting against the genocide of my people.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Doksha,
Leonard Peltier
U.S. Penitentiary
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
4strugglemag 