LEONARD PELTIER ATTACKED!

More info: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/

21 January 2009
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 Leonard comes on the heels of the FBI's recent letter,
prompting this attack by FBI supporters as an attempt to discredit Leonard
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 Leonard. 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 the
continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and 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 Leonard 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
whoisleonardpeltier.info

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