Friends Digest Vol. 3, No. 9

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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." -- John Adams
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* Working Smart *

The greatest challenge before Peltier supporters is being heard by those in power--by President Obama, in particular.

We've been reporting that the president reads 5 letters from the public every single day. In point of fact, we were wrong about that. President Obama actually reads 10 letters a day! That's good news. It increases our chance of being heard. Right? Except...

The White House receives over 10,000 letters and 20,000 e-mails every single day. How do we ensure our concerns don't get lost in the shuffle?

Read part 1 of our new Working Smart series:
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org/WHLetters.htm.

* September 12 *

As you know, Saturday, September 12, is Mr. Peltier's 65th birthday.

It's not too late. Please send cards and letters to:

Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP-Lewisburg
U.S. Penitentiary
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg, PA 17837

Ben Carnes, spokesperson for the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee, will begin a 7-day fast in front of the White House beginning this Saturday in the hope of obtaining a meeting with President Obama. For details on this action, please visit http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info. Supporters are asked to hold vigils on the September 11 and 12, as well.

Some supporters will fast in solidarity with Ben, we hear. Be advised that certain ailments and/or the medications used to treat them may be adversely affected if you fail to eat and/or drink regularly. Please consult your physician before participating in an extended fast.

* Shout Out to Canada *

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to visit with President Obama on September 16, 2009. Please contact PM Harper and remind him that the U.S. government violated Canada's sovereignty with its illegal extradition of Leonard Peltier. Ask the Prime Minister to intervene on Mr. Peltier's behalf.

You can send your comments to PM Harper by e-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca.

Or contact the Prime Minister's office:

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa K1A 0A2 ONT
CANADA
Phone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900

* Upcoming Events *

9/12 Lewisburg, PA: Vigil for Leonard Peltier at the corner of Route 15 and Wm. Penn Boulevard beginning at 7:00 a.m.

9/12 NYC: Happy 65th Birthday, Leonard Peltier; Free the Cuban 5; Puerto
Rico Libre
http://FreePeltierNow.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-65th-birthday-leonard-peltier.html

9/12 Running Down the Walls (Various Locations throughout the U.S.,
This Year in Honor of Leonard Peltier)
http://FreePeltierNow.blogspot.com/2009/08/peltiers-parole-denial-running-down.html

9/12 NYC: Rolling Down the Walls (an offshoot of Running Down the
Walls). 8-mile bike ride from Grand Army Plaza to Ft. Tilden Beach
http://FreePeltierNow.blogspot.com/2009/08/rolling-down-walls.html

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"Never cease in the fight for peace, justice, and equality for all people. Be persistent in all that you do and don't allow anyone to sway you from your conscience." -- Leonard Peltier
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Time to set him free... Because it's the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
www.FreePeltierNow.org