On June 26, 1975, at the Jumping Bull's compound on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation, two unmarked cars following a red pick-up truck came into the compound in which an encampment of the American Indian Movement (AIM) was located. A firefight took place between in which one native warrior, Joseph Stuntz, and two FBI agents died. The AIM encampment had been set up on the request of Oglala traditional Elders because Pine Ridge was under a state of terror brought about by a death squad call the GOON Squad. In just over two years 60 murders had taken place, homes had been shot up and many people assaulted. Those two unmarked cars came into the encampment in the same manner as many drive-by shootings had taken place. In no way did these FBI agents follow even the most fundamental police procedures. The AIM members believing that they were under another murderous attack defended themselves.

There were reasons behind the actions by the FBI on Pine Ridge. First, uranium was found in the Sheep Mountain area of Pine Ridge. It was well known that the Oglala Lakota People would not approve the U.S. government taking even more of their land.

Thus, a diversion had to be created. At the same time as the shoot out happen, in Washington D.C. the illegal signing away of that land was taking place. Second, the FBI had a program to suppress AIM because they feared that AIM was awakening Native People to stand up for their rights.

There were two trials that came about as a result of the shoot-out. The first trial two AIM members were found not guilty for the reason of self-defense. Leonard was not a part of that trial because he was being extradited from Canada based upon false statements that the U.S. Government had submitted to Canada. Because the first AIM members had been not convicted, the government set out to rig Leonard's trial. First they moved to trial to a judge that would side with the government's case, then witnesses were forced under intimation to testify falsely against Leonard, evidence was falsely fabricated, and an atmosphere in the courtroom was created to prejudice the jury against Leonard. Because of those blatant acts of unjustice Leonard was foundguilty.

Through the years Leonard's defense team has disproved the government's case against Leonard to the point that the U.S. Prosecutor now admits that there is no evidence connecting Leonard to the deaths of the FBI agents, and that if Leonard were tried today no jury would convict him. The government now only claims that because Leonard was there that day he is guilty of aiding and abetting, but since the first two AIM members were found not guilty for the reason of self-defense, then that means Leonard has been in prison all these years for aiding and abetting an act of self-defense. The courts have refused to grant Leonard a new and fair and the Parole Commission has refused to grant him parole. The reason seems to be that the government believes that someone must pay. But the blame for what happened on that day in 1975, is not with AIM or Leonard, but with the FBI who knowingly sent those two agents into a situation that causedtheir deaths.

Torture is the act of allowing or causing excruciating pain for the purpose of punishment. Leonard has a medical problem with his jaw. Because of the malicious medical treatment at the Springfield Federal Medical Center, which came close to killing him, the condition of his jaw is much worse. He also needs dental work that cannot be done until his jaw is taken carry of. His dental condition could be potentially fatal if not taken care of. The prison will not allow any outside doctor to examine Leonard, which is a right that other prisoners have, but Leonard is denied. The Mayo Clinic, which has done medical work on federal prisoners before has agreed to treat Leonard. Leonard is in excruciating continuous pain. He cannot even chew his food. Still the federal prison refuses to allow Leonard to get the treatment he needs. This is nothing short of blatant outright torture! Has not Leonard suffered enough for a crime that the FBI is responsible for?

We ask that all members of the NWLPSN, all supporters of Leonard and all those who believe in justice and opposes the use of torture to please, right now, e-mail messages asking that Leonard be allowed to be treated by the Mayo Clinic.

Send messages to: Kathleen Hawk, Director, Bureau of Prisons, "attention indicator" via: swolfson@bop.gov.
And to U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell at: administrator@campbell.senate.gov.

In your message, please not only bring up Leonard's medical condition, but also, that the prison's refusal of medical treatment should be a part of the Congressional hearings on Pine Ridge and the case of Leonard Peltier. Also please ask him when these hearings will take place.

The torture of Leonard will continue until there is enough of a public outcry that demands that it end. Please take the time to send the needed e-mails and please pass along this information to other people, organizations, e-mail lists and web sites. Thank you for your time.

In Solidarity,
Arthur J. Miller,
NWLPSN