Subj: FBI Challenged to National Debate Date: 7/5/00 8:16:56 PM Central Daylight Time From: [email protected] (LPDC) To: [email protected] Dear Friends, The June 26 and 27 gathering at Ogala, marking 25 years since the shoot-out occurred, went very well and all of the events and ceremonies were heart warming and positive. There were many generous gifts for the giveaway from Peltier supporters, and we want to thank everyone who contributed something. Unfortunately, the FBI responded with an invigorated media campaign and they received quite a lot of press. We did receive some decent press of our own in the main stream news, including coverage from various CNN, ABC, and NBC affiliates. But, it is crucial for us to respond to the FBI's disinformation. Below is a press release and a letter to FBI director, Louis Freeh, which you can forward to your local media. Thank you. In Solidarity, The LPDC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 5, 2000 Contact:The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee 785-842-5774 Leonard Peltier Defense Committee Challenges FBI Director Louis Freeh to National Debate Native Americans Call For Truth and Reconciliation FBI Responds With Heightened Attacks The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee is challenging FBI director Louis Freeh to a live, national televised debate. The challenge comes in response to FBI statements made on June 26, 2000, 25 years after a fatal shoot-out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which took the lives of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams, as well as American Indian Movement (AIM) member, Joseph Killsrigth Stuntz. AIM activist, Leonard Peltier was convicted for the deaths of the agents in the most controversial trial in Native American history, and the FBI has gone to unusual lengths to discredit a movement who believes Peltier’s conviction was the result of government misconduct. Peltier’s attorney, Jennifer Harbury has filed an ethics complaint with Attorney General Janet Reno, asking for a full investigation of allegations that a number of FBI officials made intentionally deceptive and inflammatory statements regarding the Peltier case, with the objective of depriving him of a full and fair consideration of his requests for clemency and/or parole. (For a copy of complaint, contact the LPDC 785-842-5774.) On June 26, 2000 members of the American Indian Movement, local traditionalists of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee gathered at the location of the shoot-out. Also invited were the families of the fallen agents. Those who gathered participated in the Wiping of the Tears, and Releasing of the Spirits ceremonies for those who lost their lives that day. They also voiced their desire for truth and reconciliation in order to bring closure to the violent incident and era. Between 1973 and 1976 some 64 people associated with the American Indian Movement were murdered on the reservation, virtually none of which were ever investigated. A petition signed by dozens of local Pine Ridge residents states, “We recognize the anguish and grief of the family members of agents Williams and Coler. We too lost many of our loved ones during the violent years surrounding the time of the shoot-out. However, we strongly protest the existing double standard, which allows the ruthless murders of our family members to remain without investigation, while Mr. Peltier remains behind bars after 24 years, despite the total lack of evidence against him.” The FBI met their call with an embittered media campaign. FBI Director Louis Freeh released a statement to the press opposing Leonard Peltier’s release, while Chip Burrus, the FBI’s special agent in charge of Indian Country, announced that they would be opening their files on the Peltier case. He also referred to the American Indian Movement as a “group of burglars and thugs.” The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee calls the FBI’s behavior “purposely deceiving and totally unethical.” They say the FBI continues to withhold 6000 documents pertaining to the Peltier case for reasons of “national security”. 12,000 documents were released in 1980. They contained formerly withheld ballistics evidence that forced the US prosecutor to admit, “we cannot prove who shot those agents.” The FBI, however, will not be opening their files containing the 6000 secret documents. Instead they are displaying various pieces of evidence presented at trial, which are already public. Peltier responded, “we can open our files too, we can provide photographs of Grandma and Grandpa Jumping Bull’s home, full of bullet holes. We can provide photos of Joe Killsrights Stuntz, also killed in the shoot-out, but with no investigation. We can provide the names of the dozens of AIM people murdered who the FBI never bothered to investigate. The FBI sanctioned this violence, but now they are saying that the loss of two white men was the only injustice done here. We are not asking the FBI to forget their fallen. What we want is fair and equal treatment under the law.” July 5, 2000 FBI Director Louis J. Freeh 601 4th Street, NW Washington, DC 20535-0002 Dear Mr. Freeh, We are writing in response to your June 26, 2000 statement regarding the case of Leonard Peltier. As you are well aware, the case of Leonard Peltier has long been a subject of considerable controversy and debate. Even today, 24 years after Mr. Peltier’s conviction, his case continues to be the source of great concern to many. Clearly we both feel passionately enough about the situation to find it necessary to voice our concerns publicly. However, many have pointed out that there continues to be no common ground between us. Let us begin to communicate in a positive dialogue. As advocates for Mr. Peltier, we feel very confident that the information we provide about the Peltier case is completely accurate. We are willing to stand behind and document each and every argument we make as to why Mr. Peltier should be free. Because your sentiments are the opposite, and you also claim to be in the right, we would like to request that you join us in a nationally televised live debate. Such a debate would provide a public forum where the American people could consider all angles of the story and come to their own conclusions. The case of Leonard Peltier needs to be resolved, for it has been a controversy for far too long. However, it will not go away as long as the many questions we have about his conviction remain unanswered while the truth is obscured. Please inform us as to your willingness to join us in such a debate. Should you agree, we are sure that there will be plenty of interest among television networks to sponsor a proper forum where both sides could be heard fairly. We thank you for your time and consideration. We can be reached by fax at: 785-842-5796. Sincerely, The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee Call the White House Comments Line Today Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier! 202-456-1111 Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-5774 www.freepeltier.org To subscribe, send a blank message to < [email protected] > To unsubscribe, send a blank message to < [email protected] > To change your email address, send a message to < [email protected] > with your old address in the Subject line ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe, send a blank message to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [email protected] To change your email address, send a message to [email protected] with your old address in the Subject: line May Your Waters Run Gentle. Little Hawk.