i've been thinking about famous political prisoners, leonard peltier in particular; an american indian movement freedom fighter failed by the justice system & government corruption. after watching incident at oglala, a documentary about the events--scratch that--the masacre that took place on the pine ridge indian reservation leading to leonard's incarceration, i wasn't surprised so much as utterly disgusted. not only did the u.s. government support militant forces of "goons" grossly intent on wiping out american indian traditionalists, but it has never investigated the 60+ unsolved murder cases on the reservation. the trial was a parade of "witnesses" threatened with their lives to testify, whose accounts of the events were blatantly changed on affidavits to include impossible detail. leonard's appeals & petitions for clemency have all been denied. an innocent man remains in federal prison.
fellow political prisoner mumia abu jamal has broadcasted an essay on prison radio about leonard that deserves a listen.
