I just wanted to give folks an update on the call for help I wrote about two weeks ago for Native American prisoner Leonard Peltier.

On last Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 9 a.m. Central time, Native American prisoner Leonard Peltier had his parole hearing in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. It was Leonard’s first parole hearing in 15 years and he met all the criteria to be paroled. His case is being reviewed by the U.S. Parole Commission as I write this.

Leonard Peltier’s incarceration has become the heart of great unity among Indigenous people not just in the United States but all over the western hemisphere. The injustice of him being imprisoned has long been a source of political movement internationally including Europe and other continents/nations. Leonard meets the criteria of a political prisoner. “When the legal process doesn’t work for a person and the political process takes over, that is a political prisoner.” States Wanbli, National Spokesman for the LP-DOC – Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee.

Wanbli encourages Leonard’s supporters to continue the fight for Leonard’s freedom:

“We are asking folks to call President Obama at the White House comment line and request that he support parole for Leonard Peltier.”

The White House Comment Line number is: 202-456-1111.

Leonard is a member of the Anishinabe, Dakota and Lakota Nations. He has been promised teaching and counseling jobs upon his release from the Lewisburg Penitentiary.

Wanbli has been at the helm of the fight for Leonard’s freedom for the past 8 months when the new committee was formed with the purpose of securing Leonard’s freedom. I asked Wanbli about how confident he is about Leonard being released soon.

“If under the current administration, the justice administration works as it should, I feel 99% confident that Leonard will be paroled”.

Leonard Peltier’s freedom is one of the most important matters in the heart of this Jewish woman. As a woman who stands firmly for social justice and JUSTICE in general, I say it’s time for our political and legal systems to work as they’re supposed to and free Leonard Peltier.

For additional information please visit the official website of the LP-DOC – Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee: www.whoisleonardpeltier.info