Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist, was released from a Florida prison on Tuesday. This followed President Joe Biden’s decision to commute his life sentence connected to the 1975 killings of two FBI agents. For almost 50 years, Peltier’s imprisonment has become a symbol of systemic injustice for many Native Americans who believe he is innocent. His release to home confinement was met with joy from supporters.
“He stands for everyone who has faced police profiling or harassment,” said Nick Estes, a professor and member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe who pushed for Peltier’s release.
However, this decision was not without controversy. Some, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, claimed Peltier is guilty. Wray labeled him a “remorseless killer” in a letter to Biden, criticizing the decision to grant him any relief.
It’s important to note that Biden’s commutation did not equal a pardon. Peltier maintains his innocence. After leaving prison, he traveled home in an SUV, avoiding questions from reporters and supporters outside the prison gates. His attorney, Jenipher Jones, said he was eager to return home. “He has the soul of a warrior,” she added.
Upon his release from USP Coleman, a high-security facility, Peltier plans to head back to North Dakota to reunite with family and friends.
In his final days in prison, Peltier reflected on his long sentence, noting that he had spent most of his life behind bars and was in poor health. Ray St. Clair, a member of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, said, “It shows you should never give up hope. This is a start toward healing.”
Peltier is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. He was involved in the American Indian Movement, which fought for Native American rights starting in the 1960s. The group made headlines for occupying Alcatraz Island and for advocating for tribal land restoration. They faced significant surveillance and harassment from the FBI during this time.
His conviction arose from a violent incident in 1975 on the Oglala Sioux Indian Reservation, during which two FBI agents were killed. While prosecutors argued that Peltier shot the agents at close range, he claimed self-defense. Witness testimony against him was later recanted, raising concerns about the fairness of his trial. Ultimately, Peltier received two consecutive life sentences, while his co-defendants were acquitted on self-defense grounds.
Up until recently, Peltier had been denied parole and was not eligible for future consideration until 2026. Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, expressed that his lengthy incarceration and health issues warranted his release. Prominent Native American organizations have been calling for Peltier’s freedom for decades. Notable supporters over the years have included figures like Desmond Tutu and Coretta Scott King.
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland applauded Biden’s decision, recognizing its significance for the Native American community. Many activists have reflected on Peltier’s painful past, including his childhood experiences in boarding schools, which many Indigenous children endured, often facing grave mistreatment.
As Peltier looks forward to a new chapter at home, those who have championed his cause remain hopeful that this marks the beginning of meaningful change.
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