http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/
More info and letters can be written info at:
http://www.prisonactivist.org/node/522
WRITE A LETTER to support Leonard Peltier's parole hearing--July 2009

Leonard Peltier's first full parole hearing was held in 1993, atwhich time his
case was continued for a 15-year reconsideration. On Wednesday, it was announced
(in Portland, OR) that Mr. Peltier hasrecently applied for and been granted a
parole hearing. The hearingis scheduled for July 27, 2009. All supporters are
encouraged tostep up their efforts in support of parole for Leonard Peltier.

Letters in Support of Parole

It is really important that everyone write letters in support ofLeonard's
petition for parole. These letters can be quite simpleand should cover the basic
points important for parole decisions. Asample letter follows. Feel free to use
it, but know that it's evenbetter if you write one in your own words. Be
courteous and concise.

Get as many people to sign similar letters, as well. Carry a sheaf ofspare
letters with you. Get one signature per letter, that is, ratherthan using a
petition format. Mail them to the Parole Commission,but also send copies to the
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee(contact information below).

Guidelines for General Supporters

First, we ask that you sign the online
athttp://www.msplinks.com/http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/.

Next, draft correspondence to the U.S. Parole Commission. A sampleletter
follows.

Sample Letter

United States Parole Commission5550 Friendship BoulevardSuite 420Chevy Chase, MD
20815-7286(Insert Date)

Re: LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132
Dear Commissioners,

Convicted in connection with the deaths on June 26, 1975, ofRonald Williams and
Jack Coler, agents of the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, Mr. Leonard Peltier
remains imprisoned at the UnitedStates Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

The court record in this case clearly shows that governmentprosecutors have long
held that they do not know who killed Mr. Colerand Mr. Williams nor what role
Leonard Peltier "may have" playedin the tragic shoot-out.

Further, in a decision filed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appealson December 18,
2002, Mr. Peltier's sentences "were imposed inviolation of [Peltier's] due
process rights because they were basedon information that was false due to
government misconduct," and,according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, in
2003: ".Muchof the government's behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and
itsprosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The governmentwithheld
evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are notdisputed."

Despite these admissions, Leonard Peltier has served over 33 yearsin prison.

After careful consideration of the facts in Leonard Peltier's case,I have
concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk tothe public. First,
Leonard Peltier has no prior convictions and hasadvocated for non-violence
throughout his prison term. Furthermore,Leonard Peltier has been a model
prisoner. He has received excellentevaluations from his work supervisors on a
regular basis. Hecontinues to mentor young Native prisoners, encouraging them
tolead clean and sober lives. He has used his time productively,disciplining
himself to be a talented painter and an expressivewriter. Although Leonard
Peltier maintains that he did not killthe agents, he has openly expressed
remorse and sadness overtheir deaths.

Most admirably, Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to thosein need. He
donates his paintings to charities including batteredwomen's shelters, half way
houses, alcohol and drug treatmentprograms, and Native American scholarship
funds. He also coordinatesan annual holiday gift drive for the children of the
Pine RidgeIndian Reservation.

Leonard Peltier is widely recognized for his good deeds and inturn has won
several awards including the North Star FrederickDouglas Award; Federation of
Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist ofthe Year Award; Human Rights Commission of
Spain InternationalHuman Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for
LifetimeAchievement. Mr. Peltier also has been nominated for the NobelPeace
Prize six times.

Leonard Peltier is now over 60 years of age-a great-grandfather-andsuffers from
partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, andhigh blood pressure.

I recognize the grave nature of the events of June 26, 1975,and I extend my
deepest sympathy to the families of those whodied that day. However, I find
aspects of this case to also be ofconcern and I believe Leonard Peltier deserves
to be reunited withhis family and allowed to live the remaining years of his
life inpeace. I also believe that, rather than presenting a threat to thepublic,
Mr. Peltier's release would help to heal a wound that haslong impeded better
relations between the federal government andAmerican Indians.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Signature

(Your Name)
(Your Street Address)
(Your City, State, and Zip Code)


As with any professional correspondence, your support letter
shouldbe on letterhead (if you have Microsoft Word or another similarprogram you
can easily create professional-looking letterhead froma template). The
letterhead should include all of your contactinformation including your name,
address, phone number(s) and e-mailaddress if applicable.
Discuss Leonard's positive attitude and, despite his innocence,the fact that he
has openly expressed remorse and sadness over thedeaths that occurred on June
26, 1975.
Finish your support letter by telling the Parole Board how youwill support
Leonard once he is granted parole. Your support mightbe financial, such as a
place to live, use of a vehicle, or helpfinding job offers. Your support can
also be emotional such asproviding advice and encouragement.


IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL SUPPORTERS: When you write a letter in supportof Leonard's
parole, mail the letter directly to the U.S. ParoleCommission, but also please
send a copy of your correspondence to
the Peltier Legal Team, c/o LP-DOC, P.O. Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106. Time to set
him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier

http://www.FreePeltierNow.org


Thank You, (Wopila)
Kabespir