Biden commutes life sentence of Leonard Peltier, Native American activist imprisoned for almost 50 years

John Graham, one of the leaders of the American Indian Movement, the AIM, was found guilty of third-degree murder in the death of two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, who were shot on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and of escaping from a federal penitentiary.

Peltier "is now 80 years old, suffers from serious health problems, and has spent almost 50 years in prison. This commutation will allow Mr. Peltier to serve out his remaining time under home confinement, but it does not excuse his underlying crimes," the White House said in a statement.

She has been in poor health lately, due to diabetes, high blood pressure, partial vision loss from a stroke, and recurring COVID-19 complications.

Kathy Peltier, Peltier's daughter, expressed her shock after discovering what Biden had done, considering previous failed attempts at presidential clemency.

"He's shown a lot of courage in making this choice, and I appreciate it," she said of Biden's decision.

In a statement given by the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy group, Peltier said he is now ready to leave prison.

It's finally over -- I'm going home," Peltier said. "I want the world to know I'm a kind person with a good spirit.

His fate now rests with Biden. Peltier has consistently claimed he is innocent, and his upcoming commutation is expected to be met with strong resistance from law enforcement officials who argue that his two consecutive life sentences for the fatal shootings of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams in 1975 in South Dakota are justified.

The president didn't take action on Peltier's request for a pardon during his first four-year term, and other presidents from both the Democratic and Republican parties have also turned down similar requests.

In a statement, the attorney who advocated for Peltier's parole commended the outgoing president.

“President Biden took a huge step towards healing and reconciliation with Native American communities in the US," said attorney Kevin Sharp. "It took nearly 50 years for the country to acknowledge the injustice of Leonard Peltier's conviction and continued imprisonment, but thanks to the President's act of mercy, Leonard can finally be reunited with his family on his reservation and live out his remaining days in his home.”

He mentioned that he wasn't interested in obtaining a presidential pardon because, he insists, she would be pardoning him for a crime he claims he didn't commit.

I really want to go home," Peltier said over the phone from the Federal Correctional Complex in Florida. "My family is eager to take care of me and my tribe wants to take care of me as well.

The Dalai Lama, and Nobel Peace Prize winners such as Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, have supported Peltier's release.

Nicholas Tilsen, the CEO of the NDN Collective, stated that Peltier's conviction serves as a symbol of the ongoing struggle between Native Americans and the US federal government, particularly on lands traditionally inhabited by Native tribes.

"We will be free when Leonard Peltier is free — we vow to bring him back to his homeland to spend the remainder of his days with his loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his culture and the earth that nourishes him," Tilsen said in a statement.

Law enforcement organizations, such as the FBI Agents Association, which represents active and retired agents, have accused Peltier's supporters of attempting to distort the circumstances surrounding his arrest and conviction.

.

The grassroots Indigenous rights group was discovered to be the sole person within the reservation possessing a firearm capable of discharging the specific type of bullet that had been used to kill the law enforcement agents.

on appeal.

The FBI argued, however, that his conviction was "rightly and fairly obtained" and "has withstood numerous appeals to multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States."

Kathy Peltier stated she last saw her father in prison before the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the family is now "overjoyed" to learn that he will be able to return to them and reunite with his dozen great-grandchildren, as well as the people who supported him over the years.

It's a huge relief," Kathy Peltier said. "We'll be able to really hug him and spend hours together without having to leave, and catch up on all the time he's missed.

This article was originally published on www.albawaba.com