On February 6, the International Day of Solidarity with Leonard Peltier, the Boston Area Leonard Peltier Support Group and the Militant Labour Forum hosted a panel discussion about the controversial and continued imprisonment of Native American activist, Leonard Peltier. February 6 marked the 28-year anniversary of his imprisonment.
During the 1970’s, Peltier’s active leadership in the American Indian Movement (AIM) became a target for growing U.S. skepticism and fear surrounding the Movement’s efforts. When suspicions culminated in a violent clash between AIM members and FBI officials in 1975, Peltier was condemned to a double life sentence for the deaths of two FBI agents on Pine Ridge Reservation. Peltier staunchly denies guilt and continues, from prison, and with his outside supporters, to fight this indictment.
With panelists discussing the spiritual, cultural, and political history behind Leonard Peltier’s continued imprisonment, February 6 became a day not only to unite in support of a political prisoner, but also to honor a man who has maintained his identity and faith in the face of unending struggle.
The panel, held at Zumix, a community music center in East Boston, opened with a talk by Timothy Swallow, a spiritual teacher, artist, and member of the Oglala Lakota tribe. Swallow spoke on how his tribe’s roots and visions are planted firmly in their land and culture. He explained the conflict between ‘traditionals’ and ‘non-traditionals’ on the reservation – the split between those preserving native ways and those assimilating to outside cultures. Swallow recounted the resistance that he and other traditionals, including the AIM activists, faced on the reservation while trying to maintain and strengthen Native American identity, culture, and sovereignty.
“The tribal governments – they don’t work,” said Swallow. “They can’t make a decision unless the BIA OK’s it, and the BIA can’t do that unless Washington OK’s it; so what’s the use of a tribal government?” This lack of faith and representation in the tribal leadership played a significant role in the U.S. government’s effort to divide and suppress the Lakota in the 1970’s.
“We live in a cold society, got no feelings, no care, no love. We lock someone up for 28 years for something he didn’t do,” Swallow concluded.
Barry Bachrach, Peltier’s lead attorney, spoke next on the status of Peltier’s case. “I’ve never met a man who has more hope despite all the injustices he’s suffered,” he said, reminding listeners of withheld evidence, coerced witnesses, and concealed FBI documents that mark this case as unfairly tried.
Bachrach also discussed the ongoing trial for the 1975 murder of Peltier’s fellow AIM activist, Anna Mae Aquash, and stated his disgust at its handling. “This case is about smearing Leonard Peltier and AIM leaders. We’re seeing a trial put on by a government to revise history. This country is still out to deprive Native Americans of their rights,” he said.
Frustrated by the unscrupulous treatment in both Peltier’s and Aquash’s cases, Bachrach emphasized the need for the public to unite and make their voices heard. “I’ve lost faith in the courts,” he said, appealing to the audience to “take this to the streets.”
Margaret Trowe, trade unionist and representative of the Socialist Workers’ Party, raised hopes when she spoke. “We have the most powerful weapon – we have the truth,” she exclaimed. “Leonard Peltier is dangerous because he will not be bought or broken. He is dangerous because he represents the moral high-ground of Native Americans to defend their culture.” Maggie maintained that the uphill battle to free Peltier is fought not without acknowledgement, admiration, and awe.
Danielle Shenandoah Patterson, an Oneida member, concluded the panel by discussing her native community’s fight to save the last 32 acres of her their ancestral New York land. The Oneida people are being forced off their land and face imprisonment and house demolition upon refusal. Furthermore, the Oneida have not seen the profits of their casino or tobacco sales, and have not been compensated for lost homes, displacement, or the interruption of their children’s lives and education.
The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan is set to hear the case on March 2, 2004. For more information, visit Oneidas for Democracy.
As Puerto Rican musician, Marta Rodriguez, closed the night with songs of support for independence struggles, the audience embraced the importance of individual involvement and united faith in the fight for freedom.
Gabrielle Berlinger is the regional editor for North America at Cultural Survival.
