Leonard Peltier Update

As you know, word was received on January 20 that Leonard Peltier
had been attacked very soon after his transfer to USP-Canaan in
Waymart, Pennsylvania.

Family members received a phone call from Leonard on January 22. He
was jumped by young gang members. He's been put in solitary, he says,
and won't be released again into the general population. He was told
by the FBI that he was the victim in the attack, the proof of this
being a videotape. Assured that he'd enjoy all his privileges upon
his transfer to USP-Canaan, he's now been told he'll be allowed only
one phone call a month. Two attorneys attempted to get inside the
prison to meet with Leonard, but their requests for legal visits
were denied. Peltier is clearly being isolated from friends and
family and even his attorneys.

Sheila Dugan, Esq., an attorney residing in Pennsylvania and working
with Peltier attorney Michael Kuzma was able to visit Leonard on
January 24 for four hours. She saw his bruises. Leonard's chest
still hurts.

Leonard was not taken to a hospital to be examined. He was beaten
up by two other inmates.

Leonard is in solitary confinement and is allowed only one call a
month! As crazy as it sounds, he doesn't have a comb so he can't
comb his hair.

Also, this was a non-contact visit.  There was a glass barrier
separating Leonard and Ms. Dugan. She had to talk to him via phone
for the entire four hours.

The below letter to the Bureau of Prisons was written on January
24 by Michael Kuzma. Please consider writing letters of concern to
the BOP as well!

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Federal Express #8628 9879 0796

January 24, 2009

Mr. Harley G. Lappin, Director
Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20534

Re:  Leonard Peltier, #89637-132

Dear Director Lappin:

I represent Mr. Leonard Peltier, #89637-132, who is currently
incarcerated at USP Canaan.

Mr. Peltier was recently transferred to USP Canaan from USP
Lewisburg.  It is my understanding that Mr. Peltier was brutally
attacked on or about January 13, 2009.  Mr. Peltier suffered a
possible concussion, the middle finger on his left hand may be
broken or is badly injured, he has a large bump near his right
wrist, the right side of his rib cage and chest are in a pain,
the right side of his chest is bruised as is his left knee, and he
is now having headaches, which Mr. Peltier believes are a direct
result of the January 13, 2009 beating.

It is clear that Mr. Peltier is in grave danger at USP Canaan.
By letters dated November 29, 2008 and December 15, 2008, I requested
that Mr. Peltier be transferred to the Turtle Mountain reservation
or, in the alternative, he be sent to Sandstone FCI or Oxford FCI.
As I noted in my letter of December 15, 2008, on August 20, 2008
Mr. Peltier sought to be transferred to Sandstone FCI or Oxford FCI.
A copy of the "Inmate Request to Staff" form dated August 20, 2008
that Mr. Peltier submitted to Case Manager Rothermel is once again
enclosed for your information.

Please advise me of what steps, if any, you have taken to ensure
Mr. Peltier's safety.  More specifically, I would like to know
what you have done to make sure that he is not attacked again in
the future.  Also, has Mr. Peltier received appropriate medical
treatment for his injuries?  If not, it is imperative that he sees
health care professionals without any further delay so that his
injuries may be properly treated.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Thank you.

Yours truly,


Michael Kuzma, Esq.

Enclosures

cc: Mr. Henry J. Sadowski, Regional Counsel

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Time to set him free... Because it is the RIGHT thing to do.

Friends of Peltier
http://www.FreePeltierNow.org