Leonard Peltier Supporters Urged to Call CNN Today, Beginning at 10 am

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

Mass Phone-In

ALBUQUERQUE - In an email sent to the Native News Network Friday evening, Peter Clark, chairman of the Albuquerque Chapter of the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee, renewed the call to have a mass phone-in into CNN on Saturday, August 20 at 10 am EDT.

The heart of his email reads:

Many of you may have seen this report posted on Facebook

"WEDNESDAY on CNN LIVE on their slide bar that runs across the bottom of screen it read: 'INDIAN ACTIVIST IN DETENTION HAS SPARKED ATTENTION NATION WIDE.'"

Let's follow up on this and renew our Mass Call in to CNN Saturday Morning at 10 am eastern. Suggest we thank them for running the message on the scroll bar. However, they did not mention Leonard's name-so how would anyone who doesn't already know about Leonard understand what they were referencing? Ask them to follow up with more in depth coverage. Ask them to pursue an interview with Leonard. Let them know about the recent statement and action supporting Leonard by Amnesty International.

As always be firm, be polite, be persistent.

Supporters are urged to advise them of Leonard's current situation (and tell CNN personnel that they should contact the Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee at 701-235-2206 for information and referrals).

Then call back and ask for specific news anchors to cover/respond. Remember to be firm, but polite. Tell them freedom for Peltier is the only solution to this 35+ year injustice.

They may tell you that they get their stories from their affiliates (local) channels. While this is true, it is also true that they cover both whatever they wish and stories that demand coverage. We MUST demand coverage.

Call CNN at 1-404-827-1500 at 10 am, Saturday, August 20 - Dial one for both of the first and second automated prompts/choices.

posted August 20, 2011 6:00 am edt