[Mb-civic] Leonard Peltier in Prison for 30 years~Hearing set for Feb. 13, 2006

[Barbara Siomos]

Leonard Peltier in Prison for 30 Years

Contributed by: Admin 
 

Leonard Peltier, an activist with the American Indian Movement (AIM), will have been imprisoned in the American gulag system for 30 years as of Monday, February 5. An international solidarity and support network continues to support Leonard Peltier and agitate for his immediate release. The U.S. government, especially the FBI, have actively conspired to keep Peltier in prison permanently. If you are unfamiliar with Leonard Peltier, Infoshop News urges you to learn more about him and join the movement to free this man. Free Peltier Now! 

Official Leonard Peltier website: http://www.leonardpeltier.org/


APPEAL HEARING SCHEDULED ON FEB 13, 2006 at ST LOUIS MISSOURI TO ADDRESS LAKOTA NATION SOVEREIGNTY 

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
For Immediate Release 

A hearing has been scheduled for February 13, 2006 to correct the illegal sentencing that occured in Leonard Peltier's case. The basis for this motion is that the United States District Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under the statutes upon which Mr. Peltier was convicted and sentenced. The statutes in question require that the crime take place “within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States”. Since the deaths of the agents occurred on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation which is neither “within the special maritime [or] territorial jurisdiction of the United States”, the Peltier defense team is asking the Court to grant Mr. Peltier’s motion and vacate the illegal sentences imposed upon him. If the Court does not recognize the Pine Ridge Reservation as sovereign “then one must wonder, what does sovereignty mean?” stated Barry Bachrach, attorney for Leonard Peltier. “Sovereignty seems to be a concept that is merely given lip service. It is raised when the government does not want to get involved, and infringed when the government wants to take action.” According to Bachrach, “This hearing is important because Mr. Peltier was never charged with crimes over which the United States had jurisdiction. The history of the constitution, and the statutes implicated, unequivocally establish that Mr. Peltier was not convicted under the Indian Crimes Act, which is the only possible authority under which the government could have tried and convicted Mr. Peltier. Whereas here, the court had no jurisdiction to convict Mr. Peltier under the crimes for which he was convicted, those convictions must be set aside as a matter of law.” 

The hearing will take place on Monday Feb 13, 2006 

Time: 9 am
Location: Thomas Eagleton Courthouse
Southeast Courtroom, 27thfloor
11o S. 10th Street
St Louis, Missouri 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE @915-533-6655
BARRY BACHRACH, LPDC ATTORNEY, 508-926-3403 


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We would also like to thank you all for the continued support from: 

Roselyn Jumping Bull/Oglala - for her continued support, work and commitment for Our Leonard Peltier Annual Gift Drive! 

Oglala Commemoration Committee- has notified us that they are actively planning and organizing next Years event for June 26, 2006 at Oglala. Please see: www.oglalacommemoration.com 

Patty and Amy with BHP/News for their monthly publication from Leonard Peltier 


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