Leonard Peltier Severely Beaten, Placed in Solitary, Denied Food.

[L. Coyote]

This just in via e-mail!

Leonard Peltier Beaten UP
Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:01 am (PST)
Subject: Leonard Peltier Beaten UP

Dear LP Supporters

I am so OUTRAGED! My brother Leonard was severely beaten upon his
arrival at the Canaan Federal Penitentiary. When he went into
population after his transfer, some inmates assaulted him. The
severity of his injuries is that he suffered numerous blows to his
head and body, receiving a large bump on his head, possibly a
concussion, and numerous bruises. Also, one of his fingers is
swollen and discolored and he has pain in his chest and ribcage.
There was blood everywhere from his injuries.
We feel that prison authorities at the prompting of the FBI
orchestrated this attack and thus, we are greatly concerned about
his safety. It may be that the attackers, whom Leonard did not even
know, were offered reduced sentences for carrying out this heinous
assault. Since Leonard is up for parole soon, this could be a
conspiracy to discredit a model prisoner.
He was placed in solitary confinement and only given one meal, this
is generally done when you won’t name your attackers; incidentally
being only given one meal seriously jeopardizes his health because
of his diabetes. Prison officials refuse to release any info to
the family, but they need to hear from his supporters to protect his
safety, as does President Obama. His attorneys are trying to get
calls into him now.
This attack on LP comes on the heels of the FBI’s recent letter,
prompting this attack by FBI supporters as an attempt to discredit
LP as a model prisoner. Anyone who has been in the prison system
knows well that if you refuse to name your attackers or file charges
against them, then you lose your status as a victim and/or given
points against your possible parole and labeled as a perpetrator.
It is not uncommon, in fact is quite common for the government to
use Indian against Indian and they still operate under the old adage
“it takes an Indian to catch an Indian”. In 1978, they made an
attempt to assassinate him through another Indian man who was also
at Marion prison with LP. But Standing Deer chose to reveal the plot
to him instead of taking his life in exchange FOR A CHANCE AT
FREEDOM. When Standing Deer was released in 2001, he joined the
former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee as a board member. He also
began to speak on Leonard’s behalf until his murder six years ago
today. Prior to his murder, Standing Deer confided with close
friends and associates that the same man who visited him in Marion
to assassinate Peltier, had came to Houston, TX and told him that he
had better stay away from Peltier and anything to do with
Him.
We are aware that currently, the FBI is actively seeking support for
his continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and also also seeking
support from Native People. So please be aware, and keep Leonard in
your prayers. The FBI is apparently afraid of the impact we are
having. If they will set him up to blemish his record just before a
parole hearing, what will they do when it looks like his freedom
will become a reality? We need to make sure that nothing happens to
him again!
Please write the President, send it priority or registered mail.
Email to Change.gov or email President Obama. Call your
congressional representatives and write letters, not email, to them.
Do what you can to get the word out to insure that LP is receiving
adequate medical attention for his injuries.
I am asking you, supporters of Leonard and advocates of justice at
this time to help. I don’t know what else to do. Please Help!

Thank you
Betty Peltier-Solano
Executive Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

Also call and request Leonard be treated with dignity and respect.
Canaan Federal Prison
570-488-8000