Will Biden Grant Leonard Peltier Clemency? Indigenous Leaders Plead, "Don't Let Him Die in Prison"

[Uncle Joe]

After commuting the sentences of over 2,500 people imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses, Joe Biden has set a record for most pardons and commutations by a U.S. president. But Indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier remains behind bars. Over 120 tribal leaders are calling on Biden to grant clemency to Peltier as one of his final acts in office, warning this may be the last opportunity Peltier has for freedom. Peltier is 80 years old and has spent the majority of his life — nearly half a century — in prison despite a conviction riddled with irregularities and prosecutorial misconduct. In December, tribal leaders, including the NDN Collective's Nick Tilsen, met with a pardon attorney at the Department of Justice to prepare a recommendation on Peltier's case for Biden. With only a few days left in Biden's term, Native Americans are eagerly anticipating his decision. "All of us see a little bit of ourselves in Leonard Peltier, and that's why we fight so hard for him," says Tilsen. "This is about paving a path forward that gives us the opportunity to have justice and begin to heal the relationship between the United States government and Indian people. And so, this decision is massive."

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[marble falls]

1. Cut Leonard Peltier lose. It is decades late as it is.

[raging moderate]

2. Yes! Let Leonard Peltier go free! Now!

You are right! This is very late!

[ShazamIam]

3. I would love to see Peltier released from prison, I hope Presiden Biden grants him clemency. nt

[usaf-vet]

8. Me To! Set him free.

[TheRickles]

4. I don't see what the downside would be to granting him clemency.

[Bayard]

5. The FBI throws a hissy fit

Pres. Clinton was going to pardon Leonard, and the FBI talked him out of it. I'm sure that's happened with every president since. Peltier is a political prisoner in America.

[catchnrelease]

6. I've always felt that this is it

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the FBI made subtle threats to the presidents that might have been leaning to pardon Leonard. Like maybe the Secret Service protection would be a little lax. I'm not normally into conspiracies but what other reason could there be for keeping L locked up all these years? Even the trial judge said to pardon him!! It makes me so angry. I don't believe it will ever happen now I'm sad to say.

[red dog 1]

7. Dear President Biden,

Please grant Leonard Peltier clemency. It's the right thing to do before you leave office.