From: Arthur J. Miller <bayou@blarg.net> Subject: Parole Hearing for Peltier on July 27

> Leonard Peltier's first full parole hearing was held in 1993, at > which time his case was continued for a 15-year reconsideration. On > Wednesday, it was announced (in Portland, OR) that Mr. Peltier has > recently applied for and been granted a parole hearing. The hearing > is scheduled for July 27, 2009. All supporters are encouraged to > step 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 of > Leonard's petition for parole. These letters can be quite simple > and should cover the basic points important for parole decisions. A > sample letter follows. Feel free to use it, but know that it's even > better 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 of > spare letters with you. Get one signature per letter, that is, rather > than 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 at > http://www.msplinks.com/http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/parole2008/. > > Next, draft correspondence to the U.S. Parole Commission. A sample > letter follows. > > Sample Letter > > United States Parole Commission > 5550 Friendship Boulevard > Suite 420 > Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286 > (Insert Date) > > Re: LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132 > > Dear Commissioners, > > Convicted in connection with the deaths on June 26, 1975, of > Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, agents of the Federal Bureau of > Investigation, Mr. Leonard Peltier remains imprisoned at the United > States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. > > The court record in this case clearly shows that government > prosecutors have long held that they do not know who killed Mr. Coler > and Mr. Williams nor what role Leonard Peltier "may have" played > in the tragic shoot-out. > > Further, in a decision filed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals > on December 18, 2002, Mr. Peltier's sentences "were imposed in > violation of [Peltier's] due process rights because they were based > on information that was false due to government misconduct," and, > according to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, in 2003: ".Much > of the government's behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and its > prosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The government > withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not > disputed." > > Despite these admissions, Leonard Peltier has served over 33 years > in prison. > > After careful consideration of the facts in Leonard Peltier's case, > I have concluded that Leonard Peltier does not represent a risk to > the public. First, Leonard Peltier has no prior convictions and has > advocated for non-violence throughout his prison term. Furthermore, > Leonard Peltier has been a model prisoner. He has received excellent > evaluations from his work supervisors on a regular basis. He > continues to mentor young Native prisoners, encouraging them to > lead clean and sober lives. He has used his time productively, > disciplining himself to be a talented painter and an expressive > writer. Although Leonard Peltier maintains that he did not kill > the agents, he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over > their deaths. > > Most admirably, Mr. Peltier contributes regular support to those > in need. He donates his paintings to charities including battered > women's shelters, half way houses, alcohol and drug treatment > programs, and Native American scholarship funds. He also coordinates > an annual holiday gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge > Indian Reservation. > > Leonard Peltier is widely recognized for his good deeds and in > turn has won several awards including the North Star Frederick > Douglas Award; Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of > the Year Award; Human Rights Commission of Spain International > Human Rights Prize; and 2004 Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime > Achievement. Mr. Peltier also has been nominated for the Nobel > Peace Prize six times. > > Leonard Peltier is now over 60 years of age-a great-grandfather-and > suffers from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, and > high 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 who > died that day. However, I find aspects of this case to also be of > concern and I believe Leonard Peltier deserves to be reunited with > his family and allowed to live the remaining years of his life in > peace. I also believe that, rather than presenting a threat to the > public, Mr. Peltier's release would help to heal a wound that has > long impeded better relations between the federal government and > American Indians. > > Thank you for your time and consideration. > > Sincerely yours, > > Signature > > > (Your Name) > (Your Street Address) > (Your City, State, and Zip Code) > > For Family and Friends > > As with any professional correspondence, your support letter should > be on letterhead (if you have Microsoft Word or another similar > program you can easily create professional-looking letterhead from > a template). The letterhead should include all of your contact > information including your name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail > address if applicable. > > Describe your relationship with Leonard -- how do you know him, for > how long, etc. Write about his character, and his accomplishments > both before and during imprisonment. Discuss improvements made > since being incarcerated such as education and his philanthropic > work. Discuss Leonard's positive attitude and, despite his innocence, > the fact that he has openly expressed remorse and sadness over the > deaths that occurred on June 26, 1975. > > Finish your support letter by telling the Parole Board how you > will support Leonard once he is granted parole. Your support might > be financial, such as a place to live, use of a vehicle, or help > finding job offers. Your support can also be emotional such as > providing advice and encouragement. > > IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL SUPPORTERS: When you write a letter in support > of Leonard's parole, mail the letter directly to the U.S. Parole > Commission, 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 all my relations!!