Free Leonard Peltier! (Shas original)

Song for Leonard Peltier
Copyright 2010 by Shas Cho
Permission granted for non-commercial use
in the struggle for Racial Equality

Leonard Peltier was arrested and convicted
of the murder of two FBI agents
following the 1975 shootout
on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
The testimony of the FBI was contradictory,
the evidence was in Peltier's favour,
and the trial a travesty,
with much relevant and critical information
with held from the jury.

The blatant injustice has shocked the world.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth
has taken an interest in the case,
and In February 1999 the European Parliament
approved a resolution calling for Peltier to be freed.

If you're not familiar with Peltier's case,
the Wikipedia article is a good place to start.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Peltier

Another quick precis is this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLJXfYCn26Q

The Native people of North America
have been struggling for justice and equality
since Columbus foolishly named them "Indians,"
thinking that he had arrived in India.
It is time to close this chapter
of government- sponsored genocide and discrimination.
A good place to show good faith
is in the release and restitution of Leonard Peltier,
Elder, Sage, and Spokesman for the Native community.

This song is just a little ditty,
suitable for group singing by, say,
supporters riding together in school busses
or to raise their spirits as they gather
outside federal courts and prisons
to speak out in Peltier's behalf.

The song:
(I'm sorry about the poor sound quality.
Pretend we're all travelling down the road together
on a squeaky, rumbling school bus)

Leonard Peltier shouldn't have been
arrested in the very first place
It's an FBI cover-up and everyone knows
He's got to get out of that place

For thirty five years he's been in jail
for things he never did do
The courts are corrupted and the press doesn't care
Because Peltier was born a Sioux

They've destroyed our nation, they stole our land,
They stole our children, too
Now they're stealing our Elders
and they keep them in cages
Like animals in a zoo

This is the Land of Freedom and Law
The Constitution says that's true
Life and Liberty and Justice for All
Unless you were born a Sioux

Leonard Peltier shouldn't have been
arrested in the very first place
It's an FBI cover-up and everyone knows
He's got to get out of that place

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Free Leonard Peltier!
• Leonard
• Peltier
• AIM
• justice
• folk
• Native
• Indigenous
• Shas
• Cho
• shas1814
• uke
• ukulele
• prison
• disxcrimination

[dimebag2002]

I learned of Leonard Peltier's story from Rage Againt the Machine....... Native Americans has gotten the short end of the stick and continue to be shafted by the Goverment... Allowing a few Casinos does not rectify the wrong that has been done.

[Quanyin69]

FreePeltierNowDOTorg

WhoIsLeonardPeltierDOTinfo

Flood the

White House with calls, letters, and e-mails on Leonard's behalf

all week, from December 13 through December 17. Tell the president to

release Leonard Peltier now. Offcourse after this date, always email, write or call the White House to release Leonard Peltier, however, it's improtant that we all come together and TAKE SOME ACTION for this particular date. Thank you!

[KissySquirrel]

I have never forgotten about Leonard's wrongful imprisonment. So sad and I don't think he will ever be a free man. They definitely set him up and I hope they get what's coming to them either in this life or next or BOTH!

[iamearthbornami]

nice one brother~peace

[Thespadecaller]

Well done, my friend.

[cather333]

Dear Shas,

Beautiful song and wolf !

5***** +++

Love, Hugs

Catherine ♥

[hoosierhiver]

Good one Shas. I think it has been so long, people have forgotten about him. The Feds really set him up.

[Wharty]

Great song however I do not think Peltier will ever get out and it is a very sick and sad story with a lot of mystery behind it. My suggestion read Peter Matthiessen, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Penguin, 1992. ISBN 9780140144567. A very very good read. This and current affairs makes you think what our government is capable of and gives a whole different meaning to "We the People".

[deach69]

Cool song. Cool write-up too.

[Little6ster]

very nice song and thanx for the explanations, very interesting! :°)