Leonard Peltier, 80, is speaking out after having been released from federal prison after more than 50 years. Former President Joe Biden commuted his sentence on February 18 due to his age, declining health, and lengthy incarceration. Peltier, a former American Indian Movement member, was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975. He has maintained his innocence, claiming self-defense. Despite being deemed a "remorseless killer" by former FBI director Christopher Wray, and garnering opposition from North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Peltier has built up global support as a symbol of Native American rights and justice issues.
Peltier was part of a movement that emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s, advocating for Native American rights. This included the 1973 standoff at Wounded Knee, which lasted 71 days. He acknowledges being present during the 1975 shootout but denies firing fatal shots. Former US Attorney James Reynolds, who oversaw his conviction, later called for clemency, citing unproven guilt. In a new interview, Peltier said: "I'm going to spend the rest of my life fighting for our people, because we ain't finished yet. We're still in danger."
Peltier says he plans to continue his activism and educate young activists on threats to Indigenous rights. He was released to house arrest on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota, where he can access healthcare. The support of figures like Deb Haaland influenced Biden's decision. Peltier aspires to sell his paintings and write more books. "You don't have to get violent, you don't have to do nothing like that. Just get out there and stand up," he said during the interview. "We got to resist." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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