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Prisoners Of Conscience |
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Leonard Peltier is not a Prisoner Of Conscience. I do believe Leonard is innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted. The Run For Freedom had always been basically to bring about public awareness of this travesty of justice and since the Run was under the auspices of the Run For Freedom I felt compelled to let Leonard know about the run. I asked Jim if that's what he would normally do and it was and he thought it would be appropriate. Although the primary purpose of this Run was the Prisoners Of Conscience I was surely going to pray for and think about Leonard quite a bit myself and I am sure the others would do the same. This is the letter I wrote to Leonard: |
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10/30/2002
Dear Leonard: You don't know me personally. My name is John and Jim , who you may remember, is my son. I know he has talked with you and he has a letter from you on the wall of his home. I participated in the Walk For Justice in 1994 and since that date I have been involved in 9 other runs that were organized to bring public awareness to the injustice bestowed upon you by the government. I believe that you are innocent! I feel sorrow for all those who died! But I also say that even if you did indeed have a hand in the deaths of the 2 agents that it was clearly SELF DEFENSE, and that is not a CRIME! I have met most of your family. I baby sat your grand children in Washington DC after one of our runs. While your son was busy during the protest speaches I walked them around the streets of DC and had a real good time escorting them. I have always felt a spiritual attachment to you when running and praying for you. We are organizing a special Run For Freedom - Prisoners of Conscience. The goal is to bring public awareness to the plight of those people who are imprisoned for non-violent protest actions taken at the School of America's at Fort Benning Georgia. In November of 2001 hundreds of arrests were made but only 43 were convicted and now are serving time in Federal Correctional Institutions from California to Maine. As always, the Run For Freedom is a Run for Leonard Peltier. This will be our tenth run. Jim told me that he usually sends you a letter letting you know what we are doing. I asked him if he minded if I write you this time. I have a special interest because two of the inmates are personal friends of mine and though I will always run for you this run will have added spiritual meaning for me. If you would be so inclined to send us a few words or a statement that I could read to all the runners at opening circle we would be honored. If not, I will understand. But know this. On November 23rd we will be doing the "Run For Freedom - Prisoners of Conscience". You as well as the SOA43 will be in our thoughts and prayers that day. Every steps a prayer, every mile a ceremony. Kindest Personal Regards |
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