Pardon Peltier Ouachita action

By Ethan Nahté

The Ouachita Collaborative Cultivators (OCC) will be meeting in front of the Veteran’s Memorial at the Polk County Courthouse in Mena, Monday, Feb. 7, from 2-5 p.m. They will be participating with many other groups around the world (Tampa, FL; Albuquerque, NM; Los Angeles, CA; New York; Wisconsin; Bismarck, ND; groups in Canada and Europe; The International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee; potentially St. Paul, MN;).

Participants hope to pressure the USA, particularly President Joe Biden, to free the political prisoner and Sun Dancer, Leonard Peltier of the Anishinabe Nation and to enact indigenous justice.

OCC is inviting everyone to tell their friends and come raise their voice for the freedom of a man who they state is serving a double life sentence without due process for a crime, the murder of two FBI agents he didn’t commit.

On Sunday, Jan. 30, it was announced that Peltier was infected with COVID-19. This has raised the bar even higher for the planned demonstrations, scheduled for the 46th anniversary of the first day Peltier was processed into prison in 1976, the day after his incarceration Feb. 6.

James Reynolds, senior U.S. Attorney, and the top prosecutor of Peltier’s case in 1977, has urged clemency from Biden since last year. He has stated that all the evidence against Peltier has since been proven false down to the bullet and the gun. “Clemency,” says Reynolds, “is in the best interest of justice in considering the totality of all matters involved. … There seems to be no point in taxpayers paying his room and board.”

In 2021, Reynolds announced genuine reason to believe Peltier is innocent. He is organizing now for Peltier’s double life sentence to be lifted and for him to walk as a free U.S. citizen again. This, he is crying for along with The National Caucus of State Legislators, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late Mother Teresa, Pope Francis and countless respected clergy and allies.

OCC had organized a meeting for Feb. 3 at their community center The Welcoming Circle located at 113 Hillcrest Lane in Mena. Inclement weather canceled the gathering. Those wanting to help coordinate this event can contact (405) 357-8699. OCC will be making placards to pressure Biden, and for solidarity with Peltier. The Welcoming Circle will provide materials.

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