In a recent development, a coalition of primarily House and Senate Democrats has written a letter to President Biden, urging him to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier. Peltier, a Native American activist, was convicted in the 1970s for the fatal shooting of two FBI agents at point-blank range. The Democrats, led by House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva and joined by Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, cast doubt on the circumstances surrounding Peltier’s guilt.
The letter, sent ahead of Indigenous People’s Day on October 9, highlights the commitment of the lawmakers to uphold justice for all Americans and hold the government accountable for cases of injustice. The lawmakers stand in solidarity with Tribal Nations of the United States, Indigenous voices worldwide, and leading voices on human rights and criminal justice in support of Peltier’s release.
The letter emphasizes that key figures involved in Peltier’s prosecution have come forward in recent years, underscoring constitutional violations and prosecutorial misconduct during the investigation and trial that led to his conviction. Moreover, it highlights Peltier’s deteriorating health, his nearly five decades of imprisonment, and his current confinement in a high-security prison in Florida.
Peltier was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams during a shootout in June 1975 at Jumping Bull Ranch on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. While Peltier, Democrats, and various activist organizations argue that the trial lacked sufficient evidence, his conviction has been upheld on multiple appeals, including two occasions at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979 and 2004.
Opponents of clemency, including the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), have vehemently opposed Peltier’s release. Former FBI Executive Assistant Director Thomas Harrington stated during the parole proceedings that Peltier’s attack was not only on the two FBI agents but on law enforcement as a whole and the rule of law. The FBIAA has expressed concerns that advocates are misleading the public and the Department of Justice in their push for Peltier’s release.
The letter to President Biden was signed by several Democratic representatives, including Rashida Tlaib, Ted Lieu, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Ilhan Omar. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee has also signed the letter, demonstrating bipartisan support for Peltier’s clemency. However, the White House has not yet responded to the request for comment.
As discussions surrounding Peltier’s case continue, it remains to be seen whether President Biden will grant clemency to the Native American activist. The outcome of this decision will undoubtedly have significant implications for Peltier’s future and the broader conversation surrounding criminal justice, Indigenous rights, and the role of activism in American society.
