[Marxism] Forwarded from Jim Craven #2

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

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Please distribute widely. With YOUR help we CAN reach the whole world!
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WELCOME TO LEAVENWORTH

Excerpt by HARVEY ARDEN from HAVE YOU THOUGHT of LEONARD PELTIER LATELY?~

(this describes Harvey's first meeting with Leonard in 1997, at a Native 
American 'pow-wow' held in the gymnasium at Leavenworth Penitentiary)

?THE NEXT DAY I WAS driven to Leavenworth by two Peltier supporters who 
would be attending the prison powwow with me. I can tell you, I physically 
feared going into Leavenworth, even if only as a visitor. My stomach tied 
itself in knots at the prospect as the time for my visit approached. It was 
our first in-person meeting to speak about me editing a book of Leonard's 
writings­a book that eventually became PRISON WRITINGS: MY LIFE IS MY SUN 
DANCE (St. Martins Press, 1999).

I ADMIT TO HAVING BEEN properly intimidated by my first sight of 
Leavenworth­with its 18-foot-high stone walls topped with glinting rolls of 
razor wire and its silvered dome almost mockingly reminiscent of the U.S. 
Capitol's. Two blind lions appropriately guard the main entrance at the top 
of a long marbled staircase, beneath the gaze of unseen eyes in a 
three-storey-high dark-windowed guard-tower placed directly in front of the 
main entranceway.

Something about the place brings to mind a grade B-movie-type prison escape 
from some old 1930's Jimmy Cagney or John Garfield flick, with those high 
walls and the well-tailored, park-like greenswards and the phallic guard 
tower and the long driveway, beyond which lay "the open Road"­that shining 
phantasm of every prisoner dreaming of escape. Passing through a sequence 
of separately-opening gates and doors, I was scrutinized and photographed 
in an admitting room, then passed through a series of metal detectors and 
sliding steel doors, all under the endlessly scrutinizing eyes of a deadpan 
gallery of guards. My pockets were empty except for my driver's license and 
a pencil stub in my shirt pocket; no one seemed to mind the latter, so I 
could thankfully jot down a few of Leonard's word if I needed to. Next, 
with the other visitors, I was guided up a long tunnel that finally opened 
out into the prison gymnasium­closely resembling the typical high-school 
gymnasium, though more bleak and stark somehow, maybe because it was 
entirely windowless. Windows, I was learning, are a rare luxury here, where 
the preferred view for residents is a blank wall of steel or cinderblock, 
painted a pallid tan.

AND THERE, ABRUPTLY, was Leonard himself, unmistakable, a big burly man 
with long black hair, lightly silvered, standing there in a sweatshirt and 
tan pants and gym shoes on the basketball court, part of a crowd of seventy 
or eighty similarly dressed Native American inmates who were just then 
undergoing a methodical head count. Leonard eyed me and I eyed him the 
moment I entered. There was instant recognition both ways. When the head 
count ended, he came right over to me.

"Harvey!"

"Leonard!"

We locked eyes like two long-lost brothers. Then Leonard threw his arms 
around me in a great bear hug and breathed into my ear, 'One mind, Bro'. 
One Mind!" So, yes, he liked what I'd done to the manuscript. We were eye 
to eye and soul to soul on that. "I love what you're doing with the book, 
Bro," he said. Turns out he had known Mathew King­Chief Noble Red 
Man­personally; in fact, it had been Mathew, along with ceremonial Lakota 
Chief Frank Fools Crow and other Lakota Elders, who had asked members of 
the American Indian Movement to send warriors to Pine Ridge during the 
Wounded Knee confrontation in 1973, as they did once again at the time of 
the 'Incident At Oglala' in 1975. Back in 1994 I had sent Leonard a copy of 
the book I had produced of Mathew's wondrous words: NOBLE RED MAN: LAKOTA 
WISDOMKEEPER MATHEW KING (Beyond Words Publishers, 1994). When Leonard told 
me so passionately that he liked how I'd edited his words, that we were 
'One mind, Bro'­my self-confidence momentarily surged. I asked him no more. 
If he approved what I'd done so far, then there was no problem. I'd simply 
continue doing it in the same fashion, plus work with Leonard himself­as 
best I could, given our limited personal contact­on new materials he would 
write specifically for the book. I felt immense relief at Leonard's 
response, of course, but also a sudden sense of awe. What had I gotten 
myself into?

MEANWHILE, the prison powwow began with two large drum groups beating out 
those ancient deep rhythms in this unholy place. Circles of dancers, a few 
in their Indian regalia, took the floor, stomping and swirling. Sage was 
lit as preliminary prayers were recited in the Lakota language, and we were 
each 'smudged' with the sacred smoke. The unholy was, for these few hours, 
at least, made Holy here in the Leavenworth gymnasium. If you learn 
anything from Indian People, it's that the Holy and the Sacred are with us 
here and now, and that every moment and every place is potentially­even 
essentially­Holy, or capable of being made so.

As the prison gathering drew to a close toward midafternoon, the inmates 
bestowed gifts of their own crafts and artwork on the visitors. On the 
floor was a pile of fist-sized rocks that had been used in the inipi­the 
prison sweat lodge. Leonard picked two of these up and set them in my 
hands. "Here, Harvey, take these?they're not just ordinary rocks, they' re 
holy beings­the 'Rock People,' we call them. We talk to them in the 
inipi?and, would you believe, they talk back to us. Just like Mat King says 
in Noble Red Man! When the water's poured on the rocks, they actually start 
to speak! These rocks are volcanic, filled with holes and fissures, and the 
water hisses and sizzles when it hits the red-hot rocks; you can actually 
make out voices! You can hear them! Yes, it happens! It's true! The rocks 
are alive. And they have thousands of prayers in them, Harvey. My prayers 
and the prayers of the brothers in our sweat lodge. Take good care of them, 
Bro. They're holy things." [Leonard has a wonderful chapter about the 
Leavenworth inipi in his book PRISON WRITINGS: MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE].

Even as I stood there directly in front of him with the two 'Rock People' 
in my hands, Leonard reached out to me with his own two hands and gently 
gripped my shoulders; his eyes caught and captured mine. "Harvey?," he said 
softly, his eyes locked intensely on mine, "You need to know this from me 
personally. I did NOT kill those agents? It's important you believe that if 
we're to work together." I nodded my head, returned his intense gaze, and 
squeezed the two prayer-soaked 'Rock People' in my hands. Like two 
witnesses to a sacred bargain, they all but resonated between my fingers. 
For I time I would keep them on my bookshelf directly above my desk, 
between two memorial cards for the fallen FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and 
Ron Williams. Later I would give one of the rocks to an inipi leader who 
had befriended me. The other I gave to Piscataway Chief, or Sagamore, Billy 
Tayac (his People's aboriginal land are on the site where both the White 
House and the Capitol now stand) during a ceremony at the sacred Piscataway 
Moyoane burial grounds, just across the Potomac River from George 
Washington's Mount Vernon. Billy, an avid supporter of Leonard for decades, 
placed the sacred 'Rock Person' from the Leavenworth inipi on the grave of 
his revered father Turkey Tayac beneath a 300-year-old sacred red cedar 
tree near the Potomac's edge at Moyoane.

"This is sacred ground," Billy told me. "It's always a ceremony here. That 
rock will be in good company."

NOW, AS I LEFT the Leavenworth gymnasium, guards accompanied me and the 
other visitors back up the tunnel, and I experienced that strange sense of 
irreality I get every time I attend these prison powwows and the moment 
comes to leave at 3 P.M.­how uncanny it seems that I and the other visitors 
can be so easily and politely escorted out­while the inmates in their tan 
trousers (visitors are prohibited from wearing tan or khaki pants) stand 
there below, rooted on the gymnasium floor, calling out sad farewells at 
us, arms waving, necks craning? 'Hey, Harvey, next time?' ? a voice calls 
out and I don't even know who's voice it is; no doubt, one of the guys I'd 
sat around talking to for most of the powwow, between my few brief chats 
with Leonard. Moments later I'm back through the series of checkpoints and 
out the final plate-grass and forged-steel door, walking back down between 
the two unblinking blind lions toward our parked car and freedom! I feel 
almost as if I'd escaped! Yes, freedom! It seems truly magical, almost 
incandescent, when you've just been immersed in its opposite. I never 
appreciate it so much as when I walk back down those marble steps of 
Leavenworth. And I was in there for only six hours! Imagine decades! With 
each step back out into the open world my heart aches palpably for Leonard 
back there?he, an innocent man, unable to leave?or even to know if he will 
ever be able to leave. And this heavy sadness resolves into dedication: I 
will do everything in my personal power to see this man, Leonard Peltier, 
walk free again. Yes, that much I can do, and will continue doing.

* * *

Excerpt by LEONARD PELTIER from HAVE YOU THOUGHT of LEONARD PELTIER LATELY?

?I'M STILL HERE. I am all at once saddened, exhilarated, angry, proud, 
defiant, and puzzled by that fact. Here in prison, after 28 years of unjust 
incarceration, I am a living example of the injustice, racism, fear, and 
inequity that still exists in some parts of the United States of America. 
This is particularly true when it comes to America's views and actions 
towards Indian people. Residing in the best hopes of all of us is the dream 
that America has moved away from the days of hostility towards the 
Indigenous people of this land. And yet, we are shown with daily 
regularity, a reality that defies this dream. A reality that American 
Indians are incarcerated at a disproportionately high rate. A reality that 
American Indians are denied decent health care, housing, and education. A 
reality so dire, that recently the United States Civil Rights Commission 
has had to address it, calling it "A Quiet Crisis".

I'M STILL HERE. Events surrounding my case over the last few years have 
been so fascinating, as to have created an excellent mystery thriller 
novel. Replete with intrigue, suspicion, manipulation, falsehoods, secret 
meetings, intimidation, implications, sexual innuendo, and higher 
aspirations--all in the name of justice, I cannot help but think of what a 
great movie this would also have made. Maybe one day it still will, time 
will tell. Suffice to say, my case and all it constitutes will continue to 
impact the history of this country, and its relations with Native 
Americans, for generations to come. So far, my story continues to be one of 
an innocent man, railroaded in a rage of fear and vengeance disguised as 
justice.

I'M STILL HERE. And for as long as I am, my friends and associates at the 
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee continue to raise awareness, fund-raise, 
and coordinate campaigns on my behalf, so that America and the world does 
not forget about me and my case. Where would I be without friends like 
Harvey Arden, Arthur Miller, Peter Mattheissen, Andrea Hornbein, David 
Hill, and so many others I do not have the time or room to name, but have 
been so crucial in continuing this crusade for Justice? I cannot say for 
sure, but I imagine I would be much closer to being another faceless person 
denied of justice, whose identity was forgotten as time went by. It has 
been a series of small miracles created by a synergy of outstanding 
individuals. I am so thankful, and you all should be so proud of what you 
have accomplished.

I'M STILL HERE. And yet, I like to dream or focus on what I would do if and 
when I win my release. It goes without saying that being with family and 
loved ones would be a central part of my life for some period of time. And 
having been away from the daily experiences of this country, perhaps 
traveling and seeing the developments 28 years can bring would be something 
I would enjoy. Once acclimated, I do have plans for the future, 
particularly concerning the ongoing role of the Leonard Peltier Defense 
Committee. Some might think that upon my release, the LPDC's job would be 
finished. This is not so. In fact, it will merely be a new starting point. 
There is no doubt a need for an organization that focuses on the 
incarceration of American Indians, especially those in jail for political 
reasons. Surely you didn't think I was the only American Indian political 
prisoner, did you? This country and the world needs to be made more aware 
of Indians defying the American government, in accordance with treaty and 
other laws, and being locked away for it. We need to raise awareness, and 
secure the release of these brothers and sisters. Further, we would become 
a bona fide Human Rights organization, linking with other like-minded 
organizations and individuals, networking and strategizing to create 
coordinated campaigns on a national and international level. Perhaps we 
could even help to create world-wide Indigenous initiatives to address 
colonization, globalization, and the terror they inflict on tribal people 
around the world.

I'M STILL HERE. I would hope this would resonate in the minds and hearts of 
every peace-loving person with an abiding sense of justice in their 
consciousness, throughout the world. It has been said by greater men than 
me, that as long as any man or woman is in bondage, none of us are free. I 
have come to understand those words with a clarity I cannot describe. As 
long as Indian people are held captive to a colonizing and exploiting 
foreign power, none of us are free. As long as corporate entities have all 
the rights and privileges of a human being, without the responsibilities 
and accountability of a human being, none of us are free. As long as anyone 
is in prison for political reasons, none of us are free. As long as people 
cannot speak, assemble, or worship freely, none of us are free. As long as 
injustice and inequity exists, none of us are free. My name is Leonard 
Peltier, but I draw breath as the living embodiment of a greater cause than 
just one man's freedom. Every nation must include as a part of its very 
fiber and rationalization, a constant demand and vigilance for justice. 
More than anything, I desire this. I pray for peace and justice. One cannot 
truly exist without the other.

I'M STILL HERE. Now what are we going to do about it?

(signature) Leonard Peltier

* * *
Copies of ~HAVE YOU THOUGHT of LEONARD PELTIER LATELY? are available at 
<http://www.haveyouthought.com/>www.haveyouthought.com ?
also copies of PRISON WRITINGS: MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE and NOBLE RED MAN: 
LAKOTA WISDOMKEEPER MATHEW KING.
* * *


HAVE YOU THOUGHT of LEONARD PELTIER LATELY?~ A Living Memoir with Artifacts 
by Harvey Arden, Edited & Compiled by George Bowe Blitch with companion 
website <http://www.haveyouthought.com/>www.haveyouthought.com & 8 
full-color pages of recent paintings by Leonard Peltier  with Special 
Contributions by Leonard Peltier George Blitch Barry Bachrach Standing Deer 
Arthur J. Miller Lawrence Sampson Carter Camp Stephanie M. Schwartz Keith Rabin

Please Order copies NOW for yourself & your friends at:

<http://www.haveyouthought.com/>www.haveyouthought.com

or send a check for $23+$5=$28 per copy ($5 s/h on one copy; $2 s/h each 
add'l copy) made out to 'Have You Thought' & mail to:

Have You Thought 1410 Blalock Road, #420 Houston, TX 77055

Booksellers, Libraries, Stores, Distributors, Pow-Wow Vendors, Prof'l Book 
Reviewers please contact george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For those who may have an interest, there's a new interview with author 
Harvey Arden about the Wisdomkeepers, Leonard Peltier, Australian 
Aboriginals & the state of the world...now archived at: 
<http://www.prophecykeepers.com/arden.html>http://www.prophecykeepers.com/arden.html 



AND PLEASE VISIT LEONARD'S OWN WEBSITE: 
<http://www.leonardpeltier.org/>www.leonardpeltier.org. JOIN THE STRUGGLE 
FOR LEONARD'S FREEDOM! BECOME PART OF THE HISTORY OF YOUR OWN TIMES!!


Louis Proyect
Marxism list: www.marxmail.org 


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