Urgent Action Update: URGE CLEMENCY FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST (USA: UA 16.19-3)
April 18, 2023
Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned in the USA for over 46 years, some of which was spent in solitary confinement, serving two life sentences for murder despite concerns over the fairness of his trial. He has always maintained his innocence. Now 78 years old, he contracted COVID-19 in 2022 and suffers from several chronic health ailments, including one that is potentially fatal. Not eligible for parole again until 2024, his lawyers submitted a new petition for clemency in 2021. President Biden must grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice.
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TAKE ACTION:
Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on May 29, 2023.
Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to the government official listed below. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 16.19. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
President Joseph Biden The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House Comment line: (202) 456-1111
Webform*: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
*A US-based address is needed for the White House webform.
International action takers, please use AI USA’s address when filling out:
Amnesty International USA
311 West 43rd St. 7th Floor,
New York, NY 10036 USA
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear President Biden,
Leonard Peltier is a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), which promotes Native American rights. In 1975, during a confrontation involving AIM members, two FBI agents were killed. Leonard Peltier was convicted of their murders but has always denied killing the agents.
There are serious concerns about the fairness of proceedings leading to his trial and conviction, including for example the prosecution’s withholding of evidence that might have assisted Leonard Peltier’s defence. In light of these concerns, the former US Attorney who supervised the prosecution team post-trial, James Reynolds, has since called for clemency.
Leonard Peltier is now 78 years old, has spent more than 46 years in US prisons, and has been repeatedly denied parole. There are serious concerns about Leonard Peltier’s deteriorating health, including potential re-exposure to COVID-19. His lawyers submitted a new petition for clemency in 2021.
I urge you to grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice.
