Published Monday, December 11, 2000

250 march to urge Clinton to grant Leonard Peltier clemency

A march was held Sunday in Minneapolis urging President Clinton to grant clemency to imprisoned American Indian activist Leonard Peltier.

At its peak, 250 people joined what was billed as the Freedom Walk for Clemency, said organizer and activist Stephanie Autumn.

"We are trying to send a message to Bill Clinton to do the right thing," she said. "It took a lot of heart and strength for people to come out in the cold and show support for the American Indian movement and Leonard's grant for executive clemency."

Last month, the White House announced that Clinton would review all pending requests for clemency, including Peltier's. In 1977, he was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murder of two FBI agents in South Dakota. Peltier's supporters maintain that evidence against him was falsified.

Despite frigid weather, many of the marchers went the full length of the 2.6-mile route from the Minneapolis Peacemaker Center near 23rd St. and Cedar Av. to the Basilica of St. Mary near Loring Park. At the basilica, marchers joined in an interfaith prayer service to commemorate U.N. International Human Rights Day.

The march concluded a four-day vigil held at the Peacemaker Center.

-- Glenn Howatt
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