Legal Team Met with Leonard Peltier on Saturday Morning

Peltier Candlelight Vigil and Rally Deemed 'a Modest Success'

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

75 People Rally

LEWISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - This weekend's candlelight vigil and rally for imprisoned American Indian Movement's Leonard Peltier drew some 75 people who came to rally for the end of Peltier's solitary confinement.

"I would characterize it as a modest success, given the time we spent planning the event," Delaney Bruce, legal team liaison, Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee, told the Native News Network via the telephone from Lewisburg Sunday evening. "We will continue to ask supporters to take on certain tasks," Bruce continued.

Among the participants at the candlelight vigil and rally were people from Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. The seven Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee chapters from Pennsylvania were represented with the people from throughout the state. One attendee was from Germany.

Lewisburg Pennsylvania

As part of Peltier's legal team liaison, Bruce was able to meet with Peltier on Saturday morning under heavy security with two attorneys. His lead attorney, Robert Bryan met with Peltier earlier in the week and was not able to be present at Saturday's meeting. The visit was monitored by video cameras and microphones. The legal team was separated from Peltier with thick glass and communication with him was made with a telephone.

Despite being placed in solitary confinement since June 27, Bruce reports Peltier was in good spirits and expressed his gratitude for all of the support he is receiving from supporters.

However, Peltier is concerned that if the current charges levied against him are not expunged, he may be moved to a maximum security prison. He has the opportunity to appeal the July 21 ruling and is expected to be represented by a "jail-house" lawyer from the Lewisburg area.

Back in his cell, Peltier says he is still dealing with extreme heat from this summer's high temperatures.

"People should know don't give up, we have to increase in numbers, especially with the upcoming presidential election in 2012," said Bruce. "Our work will be political in nature, rather than simply legal."

posted August 8, 2011 11:00 am edt

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Two things should happen here, one is already about our brother, Leonard Peltier. The other one is accepting our brother will not be released. He will...