• Urgent Action

Urgent Action Update: URGE CLEMENCY FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST (USA: UA 16.19)

October 13, 2021

Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned in the USA for over 44 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. He is 77 years old and suffers from a number of chronic health ailments, including one that is potentially fatal. Leonard Peltier will not be eligible for parole again until 2024. His lawyers have submitted a new petition for clemency. President Biden must grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice.

TAKE ACTION:
  1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on December 14, 2021.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 defense. 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 77 years old, has spent more than 44 years in prison, and has been repeatedly denied parole. There are serious concerns about Leonard Peltier’s deteriorating health. His lawyers have recently submitted a new petition for clemency.   I urge you to grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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