Why is Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier still behind bars? | The Take

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier has been in a United States maximum security prison for nearly 50 years. The US government says he aided in the murder of two FBI agents. But since his trial, allegations of false evidence and coerced testimony have come up. Over the years, the United Nations, activists, and Amnesty International have all called for his release.
In this episode:
- Nick Tilsen, President of NDN Collective
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by David Enders, with Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li, and our host Malika Bilal. Sonia Bhagat, Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K. Li fact-checked this episode.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

[@judykinsman3258]

Just like in Israel, colonialism rules!

[@projectrainbowscamp1996]

It's well past time to free Leonard Peltier. Now!

[@suzymac27]

Freedom for Peltier ❤😢😢😢😢

[@suzymac27]

Had Journalist friend on the Res😢FBI ILEGALLy came on private property and started shooting 😢AIM members had no weapons 😢Leonard was a scapegoat 😢

[@matinahasgood8992]

Yes,the right for our elder Leonard Peltier. Freedom of being free.

[@matinahasgood8992]

Frame and blame

[@matinahasgood8992]

He is not alone. He has families to be around. That what he wants. Around his own families.

[@matinahasgood8992]

Leonard Peltier innocent

[@zanthornton]

Frame and Blame is their tactic. I agree term. Hate it happens ​@@matinahasgood8992

[@robertafoginthemorning6678]

My grandmother was one of those children, taken from their families without thier consent, and the catholics baptize them and changed their name's, took them to a different state and abused them, if they got caught speaking their language, they would put salt water in their eye's and leave them standing there, and that negligence affected my grandmother as she got older 😢

[@Davywatson121]

Must see Rage Against the Machine, Freedom. I'm amazed and saddened that this long after the release of that song that nothing has changed for Leonard Peltier.

[@user-nu4nm8jn8g]

Ratm freedom

[@sandorbronn1661]

Yes, _songs_ can change history... LOL Also: RATM: sellouts

[@lulusp1023]

The abuse. Let him be free

[@annethompson4318]

Leonard is my friend. He can stay in my humble home, until things fall into place. I truly mean that.

[@robertafoginthemorning6678]

He's a political prisoner of his own country, born of the land of the first nation's 😢

[@PATRICIAANNPAULK1945]

Please release Leonard Peltier now…

[@agnikollias6678]

Free Leopard Peltier !!!

[@videobra5]

its not to believe, still he is in prison, free him

[@mbarnabeus]

The native american state have the right to exist! You deserve to be free!

[@mbarnabeus]

The native american state have the right to exist and the right to be free from the unjust occupation!

[@sandorbronn1661]

They should declare a state... of course, you'd need to unite the tribes, good luck.

[@obsoleteelite8258]

Native Americans and Palestinians shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence.

[@biddyearly9262]

​@@obsoleteelite8258shut up. Palestine ✌️

[@amyellen3845]

Thank you for calling attention to this case. Leonard should be free.

[@DgurlSunshine]

FREE LEONARD PELTIER! FREE ASSANGE! NO WEF

[@runyon888]

I'm an American citizen, and I've been asking myself that for decades. Thank you for posting this story. Maybe they'll let him out so he can live outdoors happy, for the short remainder of his life. Please. It's far past time.

[@hatchetwound666]

Free the goat

[@trepathy1]

Rember Annie Mae!

[@rezrunnercl]

Yes! 😢😢😢

[@historychannel365]

Whoa, something has to give!

[@bettyjanejake7568]

We're can we write to Leonard ?

[@user-rn6hr1qw3l]

Florida Federal prison

[@DavidGalich77]

The war for Native people's rights has echoed around the world and still there is a struggle. FREEDOM yeah, right!

[@Calichicana]

Just like Assata Shakur

[@Leslie-es5ij]

He is an example made ! A political prisoner , a man feared by the government, he is a hero, his story should be written.

[@Calichicana]

Wow something’s Gotta give!!!

[@franciscogomez5106]

💪 ❤🕊⚒️

[@TheMastersaldivar]

Hi, how are you.

[@shaphyshaphy]

Free Peltier

[@sandorbronn1661]

Go ahead. Free him.

[@shaphyshaphy]

@@sandorbronn1661 do you not understand english?

[@geraldking4080]

Longer than Gotti, Gravano, Capone or James Earl Ray.... WTF?

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

😥😥😥😥

[@ivank7911]

❤

[@brianalanreed5766]

Osiyo on the Dark Side of the Moon! One White Brother here of mixed heritage. What one white? The one who one. OB1. Pick another color! Gosh darn golly he must of jumped right off the screen! While that may be funny to you what I’m about to say is quite real… “Our conversation with the Federal Gov. to Free Native American Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier who’s been falsely imprisoned going on half a century and to honor the Indian Treaties (pre-constitutional law) forming the basis of our great nation was almost entirely redacted on national TV shortly before the insurrection because it demanded that the then President also relinquish the nuclear codes which has never been done. Oct. 2020 I spoke with at least around a dozen federal agents including the FBI and even the US Navy. Trump says before being elected, “We have nuclear weapons so why can’t we use them?” Nancy Pelosi confirmed to our international audience on national TV that indeed they where removing the nuclear codes with the help of the CIA and if anyone has any questions they could just call up and ask. What followed only confirms nuclear tensions where about to explode. The redaction is worth at the minimum trillion$ more than all moneys because with nuclear war lights out! Nothing! This simultaneously addressed the other largest nuclear power and all the rest without having to address any of them directly except our own.” This is a true story. If you alike what you see please support the Peacekeeper. Please allow me to retire and pass the torch. I should not need to utter another word. What was done never needs to be repeated. The whole story must be told with or without the redaction so what happened in Japan never happens again. The hardest work is finished and far too much already been sacrificed. We’re much too close to loosing everything. The freedom of all unjustly incarcerated sets the precedence both on the national and international scale for human rights violations leading us into this mess. If we cannot connect the bigger picture to what is happening on the human scale we’ll loose everything within the next century including the environment. “We inherit the earth from the future generations.” Thank You! Your Peacekeeper and friend P.S. There’ve been many like Christ or the Buddha but Krishna is a thief. Best to be, “Wanted” in Hopi Tribal Court for stealing all of space-time. During the proceedings the Peacekeeper will demonstrate just by being seen the supernatural. Know me (No-me). You know like, “Menominee.” “Brian” means King. Some say I’m all, “Ram.” Indeed 100% Ram (pronounced “wrong”).

[@randypoile]

Cornel West for President

[@Bolk584]

Oglala Sioux forewer👍✌️

[@JedediahSmith342]

Remember Anna Mae Aquash? Ask her daughters …

[@matinahasgood8992]

Release my vision Leonard Peltier now. That the only way the door will reopen for me . understand please.

[@exyou-fd7eu]

AIM was one of the last righteous movements in amerikkka

[@DavidWood-wp3iq]

Free leonard

[@user-oz1od7rc8x]

Free Leonard

[@shegrewwings]

Woah, he is not innocent. He was involved in the beating and murder of Anna Mae Aquash. I will speak up for her always, I refuse to romanticize this man. Please look into this, don’t get fooled. Indigenous women are just pushed aside when we act like this man is the victim. Say her name Anne Mae Aquash

[@ashleyconnor8891]

Just read up on her. Horrible what happened to her.

[@shegrewwings]

@@ashleyconnor8891thank you for taking the time to do so

[@annethompson4318]

You don't know what you're talking about!!!

[@annethompson4318]

I have over 400 letters back, and forth from. Leonard. I met his family. I donated when I had money. It's TIME!!!! BEYOND TIME! ❤

[@gregkosinski2303]

Yeah big mystery why a guy who killed two FBI agents is in prison 😂

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

ask Professor Peter Dale Scott who details how the FBI was created from the political police suppressing the Philippines rebellion against U.S. genocidal invasion.

[@DgurlSunshine]

LIAR

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

Alfred McCoy - Surveillance State The Making Of The U.S Internal Security Apparatus

[@Oo7Hola]

Native Americans and Jewish have a similar story of their people.

[@genossinwaabooz4373]

Palestinian.

[@obsoleteelite8258]

@@genossinwaabooz4373You’ve never even taken the time to look at all of Jewish & Palestinian history. Furthermore, Palestinians are not indigenous to the land now known as Israel. The original inhabitants are unknown. What is known is that many movements of people and civilizations have come and gone from that land. And the Jewish people have the deepest connection with that land.

[@johndillinger8482]

He will not never get out of prison

[@purpleblastoise]

Free Leonard Peltier! Free Turtle Island! 🐢🏝

[@user-nr9lf4cv6o]

Let him go now.

[@wormguy1283]

🌈🔹 🔹🔹 🔹