[Ppnews] National Day of Mourning Statement, by Leonard Peltier

[Political Prisoner News]

National Day of Mourning Statement, by Leonard Peltier November 22, 2007


The Leonard Peltier Defense kindly requests that you please forward this
announcement in its entirety, please do not modify, edit, remove or add to
this announcement.
Respectfully,
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee

Thank You United American Indians of New England ( LPSG )

On behalf of Leonard Peltier and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, we
would like to thank the United American Indians of New England, LPSG for
their continued support and solidarity. This year's National Day of
Mourning is dedicated to Leonard Peltier. Since 1970, hundreds of other
Native Americans from across the country and their non-Native allies have
been converging on Plymouth Harbor to let people know that Thanksgiving is
a "Day of Mourning" that marks the genocide of thousands of Native
Americans, the theft of Native Lands and the assault on Native Cultures.

Today, Thursday, November 22, 2007 hundreds of people will gather and
march on Plymouth Harbor and join in solidarity as various tribal elders
and members speak of the importance of Unity among all Indigenous Peoples.
Elder Bert Waters will read the following statement from Leonard Peltier:

National Day of Mourning Statement from Leonard Peltier:

November 22, 2007
Greetings my Relations,

As I sit here in my cell, thinking about you, and gathering my thoughts, I
can't help but appreciate you remembering me.

I was told just the other day that people in Oklahoma protested Oklahoma's
100 year celebration of its statehood. They protested or demonstrated and
also celebrated their 100 years of survival of an adverse government that
has violated all treaties and has gained control of most of their land. I
support those Indian people. It also brings to mind those who-like Columbus
came and did the same, take our lands, and also what has happened to all
people all over the world-the Jews, the Palestians, as well as other
indigenous countries and peoples. Yet I have to say that America shares
most of the responsibility to do the right thing.

What happened to the teachings or commandments of:
Thou shall not lie
Thou shall not kill
Thou shall not steal

I can't remember all the commandments but what I do know is

They have lied
They have killed
They have stolen
They have mistreated our Mother-our Mother Earth, our rivers, our land, the
air we breathe and the water we drink.

I consider global warming the wrong that has been done to our people. Even
the Mexican people state in their own way, "We did not cross the border,
the border crossed us". The Mexican people are Indian people. I have no
doubt the Indian people of South America, North America, Central American
will join in unison to make all the America's better.

A circle of Life is what dictates that the earth shall renew itself every
spring. We have said this for generations. Go back and read our Elders
sayings as we have been trying to tell Europeans that came here-to honor
our traditional ways and to honor our Mother Earth and keep the Circle of
Life.

Chief Seattle said:
"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound
together. All things connect."
Chief Seattle, 1855

This is just one of the many quotations from our ancestors.
Now today we have global warming. We take no pride or solace in saying "We
told you so." But we do hope that the people of Europe and all around the
world will start looking at the Native way of life. Our Elders teach us
that when we take from this earth, we must give back.

There is no greater resource on the face of this earth than our children.
America is leading in the wrongful influence of our youth. Wrong medicine
is being offered to our youth, commonly called alcohol and drugs. It is up
to each one of us, to get involved and make a difference in a positive
way. It is time to give back to our children. I encourage each of you to
take it upon yourself to stand up and find someway to help our youth. The
youth of the world are in jeopardy; let us not rob future generations of
their future.

The greatest symbol of the Creator is the circle. I encourage each of you
to make the circle complete-the sacred cycle of the family, the cycle of
the seasons, your personal cycle of life make them as strong as possible
spiritually, mentally and physically. Stay strong and never, never give up.
I cannot say it enough or express my appreciation to each of you how much I
appreciate those of you who came here today to remember me and to listen to
what this prisoner has to say.
Again I simply say,

Thank you
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP Lewisburg PA
PO BOX 1000
Lewisburg ,PA 17837

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Toni Zeidan-Co-director LPDC

Website:  <http://www.leonardpeltier.net/>



Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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