Leonard Peltier: An Unrepented Outrage

Reprinted from GRANMA:

ELSA CLARO

In November 2000, just two months before the end of his mandate, U.S. President Bill Clinton said during a radio interview that he was going to very seriously consider the pardon petition presented by the defense attorneys of Leonard Peltier. The U.S. indigenous activist had been in prison for 23 years then, in spite of substantial accumulated evidence pointing to his innocence. When Clinton left the Oval Office in late January, Peltier was not on the list of presidential pardons.

The former president "it appeared" was afraid of getting entangled in a situation that could anger the FBI, the U.S. agency accusing Peltier and certainly not interested in the case receiving further scrutiny, as a new legal process could lead to an indictment of that very agency.

Now history may be repeating itself. A pardon petition has been brought before President Barak Obama and is already circulating around the world, not so much calling for an act of presidential generosity but demanding that the case be given the sole and fair outcome it should have had three decades ago when, following a rigged trial, Peltier was sent to prison. February 6 will be marking 34 years since the imprisonment of this activist, who is unjustly serving two life sentences.

Even the judge who once turned down a request for a case review has joined outstanding cultural and political personalities who are asking for reconsideration. Peltier suffers from various ailments resulting not only from age but also mistreatment and lack of adequate care. What was Leonard Peltier’s "crime"? Well, obviously the number one reason why he went to jail was for opposing the acts of hostility against the native peoples of North America, to which he belongs.

Available statistics reveal why these peoples need to be defended. Infant mortality rate among them is, for instance, ten times higher than the national average, an unresolved and outrageous situation that affects mostly the poor sectors of society and which in the case of the native Indian population is a true tragedy.

But history is stubborn and old enough to record the existence of prominent members of the Sioux, Apache, Lakota and Nez Perce communities who struggled with courage and dignity so that the then nascent United States would comply with the covenants and promises made, which were routinely violated. Their names include Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull.

The sadly unsuccessful struggle of those Native American heroes, who fought in disadvantage, lies at the foundations of the 1970 events at the Pine Ridge reservation, South Dakota, used to bring before justice several members of the American Indian Movement, including Peltier. Against Peltier the FBI would later focus its accusations, after seeing that the court had acquitted two of the activists, admitting they had fired in self-defense against agents who had broken into their farm, and that there was a high level of violence by authorities against the native communities in the area. An enraged FBI decided to turn all the blame on Peltier, who was the most prestigious and respected member of that group.

Evidence provided by experts proved that Peltier’s weapon did not fire the shots that killed two police officers. So much so that the prosecutor was forced to admit that it was impossible to prove who shot the agents. But the test that led to such a determinant conclusion was kept in the dark.

The U.S. justice also overlooked the fact that one of the former defendants had admitted that he had been the gunman who killed the agents.

The prosecution presented statements by a woman, who did not know Peltier but claimed she was his girlfriend and had seen him shoot the agents. The woman was not even present at the scene of the shooting and retracted after a time, saying she had been threatened and pressured by the FBI into presenting a false testimony.

Thus, the idea of using and keeping visible a "this-ought-to-teach-you" prototype, so that others dare not challenge authority again, has prevailed over conclusive evidence such as this spontaneous self-confession.

Confidence that a president emerging from another group, victim of discrimination, could become sensitized and straighten up an old infamy is the hope of those who continue to seek justice for Leonard Peltier.

Against the odds, independent politics advance in Illinois election

By John Bachtell
CHICAGO -- Voters in the Feb. 2 Illinois primary election seemed to send a message to politicians: We're fed up with corruption; we want solutions.

Illinois has the earliest off-year primary in the country, a factor that depressed voter turnout to a mere 25-30%, according to analysts.

With a record state budget crisis, Main Street depression and an impeached former Democratic governor and Democrat-controlled legislature, Republicans anticipate a comeback this year. Especially, the Republican Party sees the state's U.S. Senate seat, once occupied by President Obama, as a key race nationally. Rep. Mark Kirk, who handily won the Republican Senate nomination, immediately tried to employ "Scott Brown" tactics calling for an end to "one party" rule in Illinois. Kirk's challenge will be to unite the extreme rightwing and more moderate sections of the state Republican Party which has been in shambles for several years.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, with significant labor backing, won the Democratic nomination for U.S. senate and will face Kirk this November. At his victory party, Giannoulias who was widely seen out of the three-way Democratic primary race as having the best chance to win in November, was surrounded by workers from HartMarx, a garment factory he fought to save. He hit hard on the need for jobs creation in his speech.

In close primaries for governor, current Governor Pat Quinn, a maverick on many issues, seemed to narrowly win against State Comptroller Dan Hynes, who comes from a Chicago political machine family. Quinn had the political misfortune of stepping into office in the wake of a scandal by his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, and the biggest budget crisis in state history. The Republican race for governor is too close to call.

Hynes had enraged the progressive community and African Americans with an attack ad that repeatedly showed a speech by the late Mayor Harold Washington criticizing Quinn upon firing him from his administration. But the Hynes family, including the comptroller's father, had been one of the chief obstructionists to the Washington administration.

Cook County government has long been a bastion of political patronage and corruption. Now the economic recession has compounded the government's budget crises. The Cook County Board of Commissioners President race was a closely fought among Democrats vying for the nomination. Current Board President Todd Stroger, appointed by Democratic Party bosses after his father had a massive stroke, ran against three other candidates. He came in last. Many voters were reacting to a recent sales tax increase that he implemented. Plus budget cuts have heavily impacted health care and other vital services.

Alderman Toni Preckwinkle won the Democratic nomination for Cook County board president. Preckwinkle, an African American and seen as the most progressive of the candidates, could be the first woman elected to the post. She put together a coalition that reflected the racial diversity of the city.

Cook County Democratic primary winners in heavily Democrat Cook County are seen almost as shoe-ins for the general election. Although there will be Republican and Green Party candidates on November's ballot.

But perhaps the most important results for Chicago-area independent politics came from the city's southwest side in the form of two races.

The first race was the decisive victory of Jesus "Chuy" Garcia over Mario Moreno in the Democratic primary for Cook County Commissioner of the 7th District. Moreno, a Democratic Party machine incumbent, is widely seen as corrupt and a do-nothing. Organizers see the Garcia win as a victory for grassroots political empowerment in the Mexican American community, as well as, progressive coalition politics seeking to address the widespread economic troubles of voters.

"Tonight all of Chicagoland and suburbia is watching this new southwest side," declared Jesus "Chuy" Garcia triumphantly to a jubilant crowd at a packed victory party in the Little Village neighborhood here. "We demonstrated that progressive politics are possible anywhere in the Chicagoland metropolitan area."



Many see Garcia's win as putting back on track the movement Garcia helped to lead as state senator when Chicago's infamous Democratic Party machine ganged up to defeat him in 1998. The defeat chilled the city's progressive independent movement. The 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization, of which Garcia is a leader and founding member, was one of the main groups still trying to carry on an independent, progressive and pro-working families agenda. Garcia was an early supporter of the late Mayor Washington and the first Latino elected to the state senate.

Garcia called for other communities to come forward with an alternative vision and to build broad unity around a new agenda for the metropolitan area that could challenge the old machine politics, much like the coalition that carried Washington to victory in 1983 and 1987.

The second significant race on the southwest side, which profoundly shook up the political scene was for state legislature. In his first race for public office, Rudy Lozano, Jr. lost by just 434 votes to Rep. Dan Burke, from one of the most powerful and connected families in the state. Lozano's campaign in the 23rd legislative district won 46% of the vote, but had to contend with a record low voter turnout across the state.

Lozano, an educator and community organizer, inspired an army of young grassroots activists and leaders, who with their courage and audacity refused to be intimidated by the machine thuggishness, intimidation and efforts to isolate Lozano's campaign. They braved Chicago's hot summer and cold, snowy winter to canvass the neighborhoods daily.

Garcia jumped into the race for commissioner late, teaming up with Lozano and bringing many veterans of previous campaigns with him. It helped open up resources and gave both campaigns the feel of an intergenerational movement.

The threat of Lozano's campaign so worried the establishment that powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan became personally involved, first dispatching his attorney in an attempt to drive Lozano from the ballot, then marshalling the remnants of the old corrupt Hispanic Democratic Organization to back Burke with a public display of Latino support while intimidating Latino political support for Lozano.

Efforts were made by both Madigan and the Burke family to deny any support for Lozano in the labor movement. Lozano still garnered endorsements from United Electrical Workers (UE), Workers United and Citizen Action Illinois.

Lozano racked up surprising vote totals in stronghold precincts of the Burke and Madigan machines. This also reflected the large demographic change on the southwest side and the desire for elected officials who are honest and responsive to a district hard hit by joblessness, home foreclosures, school overcrowding and concerns with gang violence, as well as, Latino representation in the state house.

"This is just the beginning," Lozano told the crowd at Little Village's Mi Tierra Restaurant. "Regardless of the outcome we have already won a great victory. We have a movement on our hands not just on the southwest side, but across the city of Chicago. We have put progressive independent politics on the map and it's here to stay."

As part of the Garcia-Lozano alliance, progressive independent Alderman Ricardo Munoz was elected to the State Democratic Party Central Committee.

In other races closely watched by labor and progressives, Robyn Gable, director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Care Coalition won the Democratic nomination for the 18th Legislative district being vacated by Rep. Julie Hamos. Gable who is part of the progressive movement around Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), vowed to continue the fight for health care reform.

Hamos had given up her seat to run for U.S. Congress in the 10th Congressional District, the seat currently occupied by GOP Senate nominee Mark Kirk. Hamos ran against Dan Seals, an African American who had challenged Kirk twice. Seals defeated Hamos and his victory in November would flip the seat for Democrats.

Teens testify ‘We want jobs’

By Pepe Lozano

CHICAGO, Ill.— According to 18-year-old African American Gabrielle Banks, having a job as a young person these days, is more than just an opportunity to gain experience in the workforce or build skills. A job is critical, right now, because it helps provide for the basic necessities at home, she said.

"I used my checks to help buy things for my house such as cleaning supplies and groceries, so that would be one less burden on my mom considering that she has the only household income," she adds.

Banks was speaking at a Youth Hearing on Education, Jobs and Justice here Jan. 26.

She and dozens of students from schools throughout the city testified before hundreds of their peers including a panel of national, state and local elected officials and community leaders. The students came to tell their personal stories about how the impact of rising joblessness among teens and young adults continues to plague their communities.

The youth along with local community groups and educators are urging lawmakers to support legislation that will allocate more federal funding toward summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth here and across the country.

"We want jobs - but jobs alone are not enough!" said Banks. "We need help... more help. We need leadership, job security and stability."

Young people need role models and trainers to help direct us and allow us the opportunities to gain the tools we need in order to become productive members of society, she said.

Banks held a summer job for the last two years, which she said has helped her grow as a young and healthy person.

"I loved my job!" she said. "And I loved getting checks!"

Banks continued, "If more students were able to get trained for jobs, work and maintain jobs - that alone would eliminate the need for kids to sell drugs and rely on the streets for other sources of income." The employment of teens is very important and should be widely offered, she said.

A new report by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, commissioned by the Alternative Schools Network, was presented at the hearing. According to the report the number of U.S. and Illinois employment rates for teens and young adults are at historic lows.

Marking a new low for the state the employment rate for Illinois teens in 2009 was more than 20 percentage points below 2000. Experts say youth who spend substantial time away from school and work run a greater risk of being jobless, poor or incarcerated by their early and mid-20s.

Employment rates among teens dropped sharply across all gender, race, family-income groups and education levels in the state. Teens from low-income, minority families and high school dropouts fared the worst in the state and in Chicago.

Among African Americans, the number of working teens fell from 21 percent in 2000 to 18 percent in 2007. It plunged to 12 percent from January through November of last year.

Among Latinos, it dropped from 41 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2007 and stood at 30 percent last year.

Among whites, employment dropped from 57 percent in 2000 to 45 percent in 2007 and 33 percent last year.

Experts add, teens are competing with 20- to 24 year-olds who don't have four-year degrees and are holding onto jobs they had as teens mostly at retail stores, restaurants and in the leisure and hospital industries. And both groups are competing with adults 55 and over, they note. Employment among those 55 and older rose 5.4 percentage points from 2000 to 2009 - the only category to show an increase.

In 2008 in the city of Chicago, only 15 percent of Black teens were working compared to 30 percent of Latinos and 33 percent of whites. Among 16- to 24-year-olds, 27 percent of Blacks and 17 percent of Latinos were out of school and work in 2008.

Among high school students, only 12 percent in Chicago and 27 percent statewide were working in 2008.

The report, "The Lost Decade for Teen and Young Adult Employment in Illinois: The Current Depression in the Labor Market for 16-24 Year Olds in the Nation and State," is based on analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau data.

The Chicago Urban League, the Alternative Schools Network and other advocates organized the hearing and are calling for the allocation of $1.5 billion in federal stimulus money for youth employment and re-enrollment programs across the nation. Such initiatives should include expanding state and federal government high school internship and school-to-career opportunities, they say.

They add lawmakers should support the "Youth Jobs Act of 2010" introduced by U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash. The bill would provide $1.5 billion through the Workforce Investment Act to stimulate local economies by building on and expanding the Recovery Act youth employment program.

"No other age group has experienced such steep employment declines in the current recession," said Herman Brewer, acting president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. "Low-income and minority youth who depended on part-time jobs as a significant stepping stone to future employment have been forced out of the job market and economically marginalized," he said.

Student after student told their personal stories about why young people need jobs to stay off the streets and help their families pay expenses. One student said some youth rely on prostitution, joining gangs, selling drugs or theft as their only option in order to make money. Others said city schools in general need better funding that incorporates new textbooks, computers, sports and recreational programs.

We're all in the same boat, said Mexican American student Diana Pilar.

"For young people like myself this is a big issue," she said. "People need to make money to survive and pay for college costs. And we can't depend on our parents because even they don't have jobs."

Roxanne Nava is the assistant director with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and said her group fully supports the demands presented at the hearing.

"Our number one goal is keeping and growing jobs and growing a world class workforce," said Nava. "A job gives you hope and direction and allows young people an opportunity to succeed. So many times we tell young people to study hard and get a good job but what's really at the end of that line." This issue is a bipartisan one and we need to support federal job programs for young people, she said.

Others said when young people are working it helps generate economic activity and community development. Some said putting teens and young adults back to work is really a matter of national security and will help provide kids with practical alternatives. Federal funding for national jobs programs is a great investment for young people and the future of America, they note.

"Youth are starving for job opportunities," said Miriam G. Martinez, youth innovation fund director with the Mikva Challenge.

"Some youth are the only financial providers for their families," she said. When youth are asked how they can improve their lives and their communities, more jobs are always at the top of their lists, she said.

"Our youth just want a chance and we are asking that the federal government invest in our youth," said Martinez. "If our federal government can invest billions in saving the banks and the financial institutions then they should also invest in the future of America's youth."

Executive Director of the Alternative Schools Network Jack Wuest said, "We need a broader stimulus plan to engage disconnected youth who are discouraged and dropping out of the job market."

Wuest continued, "The recent jobs bill, while a start, is unlikely to have a substantial affect on the record of youth joblessness. Job creation, particularly for teens and young adults, has to be a priority for 2010 if we are to prevent a second economic downturn."

We Need Jobs! - Rich Trumka

Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Full Citizenship and Full Employment for Full Equality Rally, Jan. 16 in Chicago

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In Illinois, high-speed rail seen as economic engine

By Pepe Lozano

CHICAGO, Ill. - In an effort to boost local and statewide economic development Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said they are committed to improving passenger and freight rail operations in Illinois. Their initiatives include high-speed rail and making Illinois an inland port and transportation hub for the Midwest.

Both Quinn and Durbin led talks at "Beyond Transportation: The Economic Impact of Rail in Illinois," a summit last week where they pledged to develop high-speed rail and improving current rail infrastructure as priorities. Both said they would continue advocating for much-needed economic development and creating green jobs across the state through plans for high-speed rail.

The event brought together experts from across the country to discuss a rail policy and economic development. Several panel discussions were held on local development, sustainability, manufacturing and connectivity in the global economy.

"One of the most important contributions the freight and passenger rail industries provide to Illinois is good-paying jobs that support families and help pay for college," said Durbin. "For that reason and many others, we need to invest in rail as we strengthen our nation's economy."

Durbin said the ideas shared at the summit would help keep Illinois at the forefront of the railroad renaissance the state's currently undergoing.

Rick Harnish is the executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, which represents Illinois, Missouri and seven other states. Speaking to the World by phone, Harnish said he welcomes Quinn and Durbin's initiatives. Quinn is the first Midwest governor to support trains that would travel at speeds of 220 miles an hour, he notes.

"Most travel by people is done by cars these days but it's expensive and slow," said Harnish. "If we build faster trains people will have the advantages of lower costs and quicker travel times."

Harnish adds it's important that Quinn and Durbin are taking a strong leadership role on this issue.

"It's critical to our economic future," he said. "The big picture is that we're very spread out and trains have the ability to bring people together."

Using trains rather than cars or airplanes is less expensive, better for the environment and limits travel times, said Harnish. Plus it's more productive and innovative, he notes. At the same time, trains connect people to the international community coming and going from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, he adds.

"Trains are about 10 times more efficient than using automobiles and are a lot better for the atmosphere," he said. "It really makes a huge difference when people use trains."

High-speed trains would build stronger local communities and allows people to walk more, said Harnish. But we have to start planning now, he says.

"It's critical to continue urging lawmakers to support investing in high-speed rail."

Supporters of the track and train upgrades say building faster and more efficient trains is beyond transportation, it's about building communities, they note.

Under the Midwest plan, Chicago would be a transportation hub connecting major cities including St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

President Barack Obama and Congress have voiced their support and recently appropriated $8 billion to improve rail service and another $5 billion for high-speed rail. The amount of funds will be awarded to states sometime before the spring.

Illinois has submitted two rounds of applications for up to $3 billion in federal stimulus funding from the U.S. department of Transportation for high-speed rail. Illinois and nearby states are hoping to receive a major portion of the funding to upgrade track and other infrastructure for 110-mph train service starting in the next three to five years.

Additionally, through the Illinois Jobs Now! Plan, the state is poised to make the largest investment in rail infrastructure in the Illinois' history.

Long-term plans in Illinois call for trains traveling at up to 220 mph.

Chicago rallies for full citizenship, equality and jobs for all

By John Bachtell
CHICAGO - Religious, civil rights, and labor leaders and activists packed an historic African American church here to rally for immigration reform and jobs for all. The event was geared to unite African American and Latino communities for action on both issues.

The event, “Full Citizenship and Full Employment for Full Equality” was held Jan. 16 at the First Baptist Congregational Church, in commemoration of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The church, founded in 1851 by abolitionists, had hosted among others Rev. King, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

With the battle for immigration reform heating up in Congress, broad all people’s unity will be needed to pass any legislation. There is especially concern over efforts to divide economically hard hit African Americans and Latinos by blaming immigrants for jobs lost by African Americans during this crisis.














Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL), the chief sponsor of immigration reform legislation in the House of Representatives blasted efforts by the ultra right to sow divisions on the jobs issue and called for unity.

“They’re telling African Americans that (Latinos are) taking your jobs,” said Gutierrez. He noted that among the first co-sponsors were African American Reps. John Conyers, Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters. About three-quarters of the Congressional Black Caucus are backing the bill.

Others also sought to show the common interests between the two communities and the need to join forces as the only way to uplift everyone.

“Like so many in the African American community, immigrants often have no option but to work for an unsustainable wage,” declared Auxiliary Bishop Rev. John R. Manz, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.

Organizers of the event sited a new report by Dr. Raul Hinojas-Ojeda of the Center for American Progress and Immigrant Policy center that sees immigration reform as an economic benefit for the country. The study says comprehensive reform with a path to citizenship would result in $1.5 trillion in economic growth and raise the wage floor for the entire US economy.

The need for rebuilding the nation’s economy while overcoming inequality was the underlying theme. Brady Hardin, of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, reminded the audience the 1963 march on Washington was officially named the “National March for Jobs and Freedom.”

In paying tribute to Dr. King, the Rev Jesse Jackson of the National Rainbow PUSH Coalition recounted a meeting called by King that fell on his last birthday. King had called to Atlanta a broad multiracial cross section of religious, labor and community leaders. The gathering resulted in the “Coalition of Conscience” which led to the Poor People’s March on Washington.

An underlining idea was there “couldn’t be full employment on the Black side of town with rising unemployment on the Latino side of town or the white side of town. We needed jobs or income for every American,” he remembered.

Jackson said a similar crisis situation exists today as did in 1968 marked by vast concentration in wealth, arrogance on Wall Street, spreading poverty and war sucking vital resources from distressed communities.

“Now is the time for jobs or income and comprehensive immigration reform and an end to the war. Let’s march together for jobs, to reconstruct Haiti. Let’s not allow ourselves to be torn apart with an insane, raggedy, immoral immigration plan,” said Jackson.

There were several calls for a federal public works jobs program. Hardin recalled during the Great Depression the “federal government took the bull by the horns and created the Works Project Administration (WPA). This put people back to work and we need the same action in Washington now.”

“The private markets are not hiring so its time for the government to help people and not just the banks and stock exchange,” he said. Hardin also drew attention to HR 4268, entitled the “Put America to Work Act of 2009” introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison (MN). The bill calls for $40 billion in funding over 2 years to create jobs in distressed communities.

Gutierrez noted the growth of the Latino vote was a big factor in the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. He said expectations were high that Democrats would follow through on their promise for immigration reform. Gutierrez said the process would begin with or without Republicans but warned essentials of a just immigration reform wouldn’t be compromised.

“We will not create a comprehensive immigration reform that will demobilize our people,” he said. “We have to get it done because we can’t have a Democratic administration that deported more people than George Bush.”

Both Gutierrez and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL) noted reform in immigration law in the wake of the unspeakable tragedy in Haiti, now grants temporary protective status to Haitian workers. Haitian refugees are now allowed to obtain work permits and send money home.

“Dr. King said the arc of the universe bends toward justice. But we know it doesn’t necessarily bend on its own. Sometimes it takes what we’ve been doing to make it bend toward justice,” said Schakowsky. “We marched, we voted and now its time to change the law,” she said.

Labor leaders and activists also spoke out forcefully for both jobs and immigration reform. Declaring this was the year to fix an unjust immigration system, Tom Balanoff, President of the Service Employees International Union Local 1 said, “People who work hard to feed their families shouldn’t be punished. There’s no justice, no equality, and no freedom unless there is justice, equality and freedom for all.”

Raul Real and Major Nunn, two workers fired from Pete’s Fresh Market trying to organize a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers described how the company crassly pitted Mexican American and African American workers to keep wages low and the union out.

“We can’t allow workers to be divided. We need comprehensive immigration reform and a federal jobs program that our communities so desperately need,” said Nunn. He later told the People’s World comprehensive immigration reform would help in ending wage discrimination.

Several thousand dollars was raised at the rally for Haitian relief.