Thursday 29 March 2012

"Mass White House Call in" on Behalf of Leonard Peltier


The Native News Network is carrying a story about an effort that is being organised by the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee chapter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The call is for a “mass call in to the White House”. People are being urged to phone the White House on March 30 with a specific message for the release of Leonard Peltier:

“Those willing to make calls are urged to tell the White House you are calling regarding Federal Prisoner Leonard Peltier # 89637-132. Tell them you want Leonard released immediately by Presidential Clemency or any means.”

The website for the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee explains past efforts to obtain presidential clemency and the nature of such an action:

“Clemency as regards the Peltier case refers to the commutation of his sentence, not a pardon. A president can decrease the amount of time Leonard Peltier must serve prior to release or immediately release Leonard Peltier for time already served. A pardon can only be awarded once a released prisoner has been free and hasn't re-offended for a period of five years.
Before leaving office in 2001, then President Bill Clinton did not approve or deny a grant of Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier. He opted to do nothing. According to the clemency guidelines followed by the DOJ, the petition was still pending. However, during the last week of his Administration, George W. Bush DID deny Leonard's petition for clemency.”

A previous post to this blog contained several links to information about Leonard Peltier.

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