[News] Anniversary Statement from Leonard Peltier

[News at freedomarchives.org]

Below is Leonard Peltier's annual message delivered in conjunction with the
anniversary of his incarceration on February 6th. Please broadcast as widely
as possible to as many groups as possible. This is a message to all people
regardless of color:

Leonard Peltier
PO Box 583
Lawrence, KS 66044
www.leonardpeltier.org
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

January 23, 2004

Hau Kola, Hello my friends, my relatives:

You can never imagine the heartfelt comfort it brings to know you're not
forgotten in prison. This is my 28th year, and I've seen others come and go
and return again. I can't help but feel a great sorrow for many of these
young men who keep coming back for one reason or another; most of which are
alcohol related offenses. So much has changed since I came here and yet, in
many ways, it's still the same.

The government, under the pretext of security and progress, liberated us
from our land, resources, culture, dignity and future. They violated every
treaty they ever made with us. I use the word "liberated" loosely and
sarcastically, in the same vein that I view their use of the words
"collateral damage" when they kill innocent men, women, and children.

They describe people defending their homeland as terrorists, savages and
hostiles, and accuse us of being aggressors. We have never fought a battle
or war that was not on our own land; we never fired the first shot ... ever.
My words reach out to the non-Indian: Look now before it's far too late -
see what is being done to others in your name and see what destruction you
sanction when you say nothing. Your own treaty, the one between yourselves
and the government, is being violated daily; this treaty is commonly known
as the Constitution.

With us, they started a little at a time, encroaching on our rights until we
had none at all. It will be the same for the Constitution; this is not
conjecture, but fact. We are not embattled with the color of man, but with
the weakness of man, a mindset that lusts for power and wealth at the
expense of life.

Men of all colors, cultures and religions must stand together to oppose the
genocidal policies that face us all as the corporate world seeks to enslave
all, and pit one nation against another.

If you avoid breaking laws and do what you're told and ignore the poor, the
oppressed and the downtrodden - you probably won't be bothered. If you try
to right what is wrong, however, you will surely meet great opposition and
run the risk of imprisonment or death.

I am a Sun Dancer. I took a vow for my people. I chose to seek the Creator's
will and to follow it to the best of my ability. I WILL NOT STAND DOWN FROM
THAT VOW. I will continue to speak, write and organize until Grandfather
himself quiets my life. If I can do this in prison, I have no doubt you can
do much better from where you stand.

I encourage you to do your best, be kind to one another, seek harmony and
balance with all natural life, enjoy what freedom you have left, and most of
all, never, never give up.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier
Mitakuye Oyasin





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