“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yesterday, we learned the monumental news that Leonard Peltier, member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the longest-serving Native political prisoner in U.S. history, has been granted presidential clemency by President Joe Biden.
As we remain vigilant in opposing the dangerous actions of the Trump administration, we also pause to celebrate this profound moment. Leonard Peltier, now 80 years old, will finally reunite with his family on his ancestral homelands after nearly five decades of unjust imprisonment.
Peltier’s story is one of resilience and injustice. In 1973, he and fellow activists from the American Indian Movement (AIM) stood alongside Oglala Lakota people in the historic re-occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota – the site of the 1890 massacre. Though the occupation ended through negotiations, AIM members endured years of harassment by the FBI, culminating in the tragic events of 1975 at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation that resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and a young Native man. Despite glaring flaws in his trial – including suppressed evidence and recanted testimony – Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
For decades, Leonard has maintained his innocence, while his supporters around the world fought tirelessly for his release. To everyone who took action online, called for his freedom, and amplified his story – thank you. Your efforts have made this victory possible.
In the face of today’s immense challenges, let us take a moment to acknowledge this long-overdue triumph. Leonard Peltier’s return home is a reminder of the power of solidarity and the enduring fight for justice. It’s important to remember that together, we can continue to bend the arc of history toward a brighter, more just future for everyone.
