To mark February 6, the World Day of Solidarity with Native American activist Leonard Peltier, Amnesty International reiterates its call on President Biden to grant immediate clemency to Peltier. Leonard Peltier has been incarcerated in the United States for more than 46 years, some of them in solitary confinement, serving two life sentences for murder despite concerns surrounding the fairness of his trial. Peltier has always maintained that he is innocent.
Erika Guevara Rosas, Director of Amnesty International for the Americas, has issued the following statement:
“Today, February 6, is World Leonard Peltier Solidarity Day, as people around the world call on President Biden to finally grant Leonard a clemency. February 6 is also the day Leonard’s 48th year in prison begins. Leonard Peltier has been in jail too long.
Amnesty International has long maintained that there are serious concerns about the court proceedings leading to his trial and conviction. Peltier is already 78 years old, he has spent more than 46 years in prison and has been repeatedly denied parole. Deteriorating health, including possible re-exposure to COVID-19, is of great concern. President Biden must grant him clemency immediately.”
Leonard Peltier’s lawyer submitted a new executive clemency request in July 2021. Amnesty International has long campaigned for clemency for Leonard Peltier based on concerns about the fairness of the judicial process, his treatment in prison and the deterioration of his health. Leonard Peltier suffers a series of chronic health problems, one of them life-threatening. You will not be able to request another parole hearing until 2024.