Remembering the founding of the militant and inspiring American Indian Movement July 28, 1968, and expressing our anger that brother Leonard Peltier is still in prison.
If you don’t know about this, go learn. If you do know about this, go share it.
Posted by Mike E on July 28, 2010
Remembering the founding of the militant and inspiring American Indian Movement July 28, 1968, and expressing our anger that brother Leonard Peltier is still in prison.
If you don’t know about this, go learn. If you do know about this, go share it.
Posted in AIM (Indian), Indian, Leonard Peltier, Native people | 1 Comment »
Posted by onehundredflowers on December 6, 2009
H/T to Rowland Keshena.
The lyrics to this song were inspired by political prisoner, Leonard Peltier. According to producer Steve Lillywhite, Bono felt uncomfortable singing these lyrics in front of an audience, so the politics were stripped out, new lyrics were written, the song was re-arranged and it eventually morphed into the more familiar [and less aesthetically interesting] hit “Vertigo.”
U2 has long been regarded as a politically engaged band [Bono is really the political driving force of the band] that has previously taken stands on war in Ireland, African famine, US intervention in Central America, and more, from a combined viewpoint of pacifism and humanitarianism. In the last two decades, they have been less politically vocal in their music. They haven’t abandoned politics altogether, but their outlook hasn’t really changed.
This song may be the first recorded instance of them addressing a politically controversial issue that may have put them at odds with the US government, and perhaps some of Bono’s corporate allies in his individual political efforts. Even though they backed away from releasing this, it was a notable step.
And it rocks.
Lyrics:
Posted in >> analysis of news, AIM (Indian), Leonard Peltier, music, Native people, video | 5 Comments »
Posted by Mike E on July 30, 2009
Miles Ahead suggested posting the following report from Friends of Peltier:
As you know, Leonard’s parole hearing was today. The attorney Eric Seitz is very hopeful about the outcome of the hearing.
The government brought nothing new to the table and made it clear that their position is that Leonard should never be released despite his being eligible for parole. That, of course, is about nothing but revenge.
Peter Matthiessen (“In the Spirit of Crazy Horse“) was a witness today. He’s attended many of the hearings, appeals, etc., over the years. He felt the examiner was attentive and open to what was being said on Leonard’s behalf. He’s also feeling positive.
We’re also told Leonard handled the Q&A (for about 45 minutes) very well.
Posted in Leonard Peltier, Native people, political prisoners, prison, racism | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mike E on July 30, 2009
Ka Frank suggested the following on the parole hearing and the demonstration outside it (from The Daily Item). Leonard Peltier is a prominent and much beloved political prisoner who just faced his first possibility of parole in many years.
By Brett R. Crossley
LEWISBURG July 28, 2009 – Protesters lined the southwest corner of Route 15 and William Penn Drive to fight for the release of Leonard Peltier as his second parole hearing was held Tuesday afternoon.
“The reason we are here is to bring attention to the illegal, immoral and unjust incarceration of Leonard Peltier that has been going on for 35 years,” said Dave Hill, organizer of the protest. “Today, there is a parole hearing, and he could be freed this time. We are here in solidarity with the people trying to free him, and we are here in solidarity with Leonard Peltier.”
Peltier, who is serving two life sentences for the deaths of two FBI agents during a 1975 standoff in South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, is being held in the Lewisburg Penitentiary. William Penn Drive leads to the institution in Kelly Township, Union County.
Posted in Leonard Peltier, Native people, political prisoners, prison | 3 Comments »
Posted by Mike E on July 30, 2009
A statement from Mumia, who is himself on death row in Pennsylvania. It was given as Leonard’s parole hearing approached.
Posted in Human rights, Leonard Peltier, Native people, police, political prisoners, prison, racism, video | 3 Comments »
Posted by Mike E on July 30, 2009
Chanson pour tous les prisonniers politique (en francaise)
Posted in Human rights, Indian, Leonard Peltier, music, Native people, political prisoners, prison, racism, video | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mike E on July 30, 2009
Created and performed by Buggin Malone
Posted in civil liberties, Human rights, Indian, Leonard Peltier, music, Native people, political prisoners, prison, racism, video | Leave a Comment »
Posted by John Steele on July 25, 2009
Leonard Peltier, the political prisoner imprisoned for more than 30 years, will have his first parole hearing in 15 years this Tuesday, on July 28.
For more information the several sites devoted to this miliant of the Native peoples struggle, his political life, his outrageous persecution and frameup (here and here, and on Kasama.
The parole hearing will be held in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and this will also be the site of a protest and vigil. More informartion here.
A sunrise prayer vigil and rally will also be held in San Francisco, at the Federal Building 450 Golden Gate Avenue, beginning at 6am and continuing until 3pm.
* * * * * *
Following is a letter recently written by Leonard Peltier to friends and supporters.
Greetings my friends and relatives,
I want to start off this statement or speech or whatever you want to call it by saying again as I’ve said before thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and for standing up for right wherever you are. I can’t express to you in words how extremely grateful I am not just to the people of America but to the people all over the world who have supported the cause of Indian people and myself.
Posted in >> analysis of news, AIM (Indian), Human rights, Indian, Leonard Peltier, political prisoners | 10 Comments »