Biden Pardoned Leonard Peltier, Native American Activist
In one of his last official acts, President Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier, the Native American activist who was convicted of killing two F.B.I. agents in 1975 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Mr. Biden said that his action would allow Mr. Peltier, who is now 80 years old, to serve the remainder of his time in home confinement.
In his statement, White House officials noted that "Tribal nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials (including the former U.S. attorney whose office oversaw Mr. Peltier's prosecution and appeal), dozens of lawmakers, and human rights organizations strongly support granting Mr. Peltier clemency, citing his advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison."
This act of clemency fulfills, at long last, the desire, recommendation and intention of the Meeting's Minute approved on December 2, 1998 (click here to read the approved Minute).
For those interested in learning more about this story, pick up a copy of In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, by Peter Matthiessen (1983).