Actor Danny Glover & Singer Common Added to Leonard Peltier Benefit Concert

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

December 14

NEW YORK – Promoters of the "Bring Leonard Peltier Home in 2012 Concert" have announced the addition of award-winning actor Danny Glover and Grammy Award-winning musician, actor Common to the already star-studded concert in New York City.

The concert will be held at the Beacon Theatre this Friday, December 14, at 7:30 pm,est. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.

This all-star, multicultural event aims to raise awareness about the 37 year ordeal of Native American activist Leonard Peltier and his plea for clemency. Peltier, a six time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has been imprisoned since the mid Seventies for his involvement in controversial incidents at Wounded Knee and Oglala, South Dakota. Robert Redford's 1992 documentary, "Incident at Oglala," tells Peltier's story.

Danny Glover

Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 25 years. He also has gained respect for his philanthropic endeavors and wide-reaching community activism to promote social and economic justice, including serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Common, a scheduled performer, and Glover, an added speaker, will join co-hosts Harry Belafonte and Pete Seeger for this evening of music and learning featuring Jackson Browne, Bruce Cockburn, American Indian singers Bill Miller, and Jennifer Kreisberg, among others. Seeger, who also will be performing, says the event is the blessing he's long been waiting for.

Common rose to prominence as one of hip-hop's most respected lyricists and positive voices, having recorded nine albums and garnered multiple Grammy Awards. He also has emerged in Hollywood as a sought after leading man with many accomplishments in film and television.

Also appearing will be notable speakers including actor Peter Coyote and Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the former Middleweight Boxer who spent 22 years in jail for a crime he did not commit and became an advocate for the wrongfully imprisoned. Carter, who will speak for Peltier. was the subject of the Denzel Washington film, The Hurricane and the Bob Dylan song "Hurricane."

Former Amnesty International President Jack Healey, of Human Rights Action Center in Washington, will speak about the many human rights violations in Peltier's case. Tom Poor Bear, vice president of the Oglala Sioux tribe, Bill Means of the American Indian Movement and Dorothy Ninham of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee will also discuss the case.

A beautiful short film that includes Carlos Santana and others voicing their support will be screened followed by a song recorded by singing duo Bear and the Willow.

Peltier was convicted for the deaths of two FBI agents during a 1975 shoot-out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and has been imprisoned since 1976. Many around the world question whether he has received justice. Peltier has been designated a political prisoner by Amnesty International. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, the late Mother Theresa, the Dalai Lama, 55 Members of Congress and others - including a Federal judge who sat as a member of the court in two of Peltier's appeals - have all called for his immediate release. He has been nominated six consecutive years for the Nobel Peace Prize - all from behind bars.

This one-time only event is a rare opportunity to gather with traditional Native American artists and singers, including an opening prayer by Navajo Len Foster, opening song by Wisconsin Oneida singers Buddy and Geronimo Powless and Gina Buenrostro. The Canadian Cree drum group Eagleheart Singers will join with Mashpee Wampanoag drum group Wakeby Lake Singers to perform traditional honoring songs for Peltier. Both groups have been singing for Freedom for Peltier since the Seventies, often together.

Leonard Peltier is an accomplished author and artist, also known for his humanitarian achievements from behind bars. In 2009, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the sixth consecutive year. Peltier also has been awarded the Human Rights Commission of Spain International Human Rights Prize (1986); North Star Frederick Douglas Award (1993); Federation of Labour (Ontario, Canada) Humanist of the Year Award (2003); Silver Arrow Award for Lifetime Achievement (2004); First Red Nation Humanitarian Award (2009); Kwame Ture Lifetime Achievement Award (2010); Fighters for Justice Award (2010); and First International Human Rights Prize, Mario Benedetti Foundation (2011).

WHAT:
"Bring Leonard Peltier Home" Concert

WHEN:
Friday, December 14
7:30 pm

WHERE:
Beacon Theatre
Broadway at West 74th Street
New York, New York 10023

Ticket Information:

Showtime: 7:30pm. Tickets, priced at $35, $55, $75, $125 (incl. $5 facility fee) are available online at Ticketmaster.com by calling 866.858.0008 and in person at Box Office. 100% of net proceeds benefit Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee.

For more information about Leonard Peltier, visit:

Website: Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

posted December 11, 2012 9:40 am est