Crazy Life
The story of Leonard Peltier as described in the book “In the Spirit of Crazy Horse” was the inspiration for the Toad song Crazy Life. There are many disagreements and strong feelings on all sides about the shootout at Jumping Bull Ranch on June 6, 1975. The more I have read about it, the less clear the details become – it is a cacophony of conflicting reports. What is clear, though, is that the trial was mismanaged, witnesses were intimidated, and that the incident brought the issue of Native American civil rights to the fore. Amnesty International has recognized Leonard as a political prisoner, and his life behind bars has been filled with humanitarian work, activism and art. He has been regarded as a model prisoner.
Leonard was recently moved to Canaan Federal Penitentiary, where he was almost immediately severely beaten and thrown into solitary confinement. His family has not been allowed to contact him. His sister, Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, wrote this letter, which contains email and physical addresses of prison officials and Barak Obama. While you may not support his pardon, I do hope you could support this letter writing campaign to simply support his basic human rights while in prison. As Betty says, we are simply asking that he be treated “with dignity and respect”.
I realize this is something of a heavy topic only one day after the celebration of the inauguration. It does seem fitting, though. We are a nation of laws, and it is vital that we uphold the rights of all – from mansions to slums to prisons. This is one of the many good ways to start in on the work before us.
One more time, a link to Betty’s letter.
Thanks
g
