On Monday, for the forty fifth time, Leonard Peltier celebrated his birthday in a federal jail.
The Native American rights activist, now 78, has spent most of his life behind bars. He was convicted by the U.S. authorities of aiding and abetting within the homicide of two FBI brokers throughout a 1975 shootout on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
There are so many issues with Peltier’s imprisonment that it’s laborious to know the place to start. There was no proof that he dedicated against the law. The FBI threatened and coerced witnesses into mendacity throughout his trial. The prosecutors hid exculpatory proof. His two co-defendants had been acquitted primarily based on self-defense. A juror admitted she was biased in opposition to Native Individuals on the second day of the trial however was allowed to remain on anyway.
Within the a long time since, a number of the similar U.S. authorities officers who helped put Peltier in jail within the first place ― together with a federal decide and a U.S. legal professional ― have admitted how flawed his trial and remedy have been and have pleaded for his clemency. His extended imprisonment has sparked outcry from federal lawmakers, leaders in Indigenous communities, celebrities and worldwide human rights leaders, together with Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Coretta Scott King and Amnesty Worldwide USA.
As not too long ago as July, United Nations authorized specialists took the extraordinary step of calling on President Joe Biden to launch him instantly.
So why is Peltier nonetheless in jail? As a result of the FBI continues to oppose releasing him, leaning on arguments which are wildly outdated, deceptive or flat-out flawed. To many, Peltier is now merely America’s longest-serving political prisoner.
In anticipation of Peltier’s birthday, HuffPost final week talked to one in every of his most seen and devoted advocates: Steven Van Zandt. Most individuals know Van Zandt as Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist, a mobster actor on “The Sopranos” or via his varied inventive accomplishments. However he has additionally been publicly calling for Peltier’s freedom for many years. He wrote a music about Peltier, he commonly talks about him on Twitter and, it seems, Van Zandt thought he had an actual shot at convincing former President Donald Trump to grant him clemency, besides… everybody he was working with on Trump’s crew saved going to jail.
Right here’s a transcript of our interview, throughout which Van Zandt urged Biden to launch Peltier and mentioned he beforehand requested Springsteen to even be an advocate with former President Barack Obama. Van Zandt additionally known as on Biden to embrace the edgy, lasers-shooting-out-of-his-eyes, super-genius ”Darkish Brandon” meme that progressives are clamoring for and even supplied Biden a speech to ship to the nation about why everybody ought to vote for Democrats, as a result of, as he put it, ”we’re in the midst of a fucking struggle. A struggle, OK?”
This interview has been edited for brevity.
Hello, Steven. Thanks for making the time.
Yeah, no, for Leonard, we’d do something. You already know? It’s insane. We’re operating out of time. I’m like six, what, seven presidents into this?
You’ve been following his scenario for therefore lengthy, and I’m questioning how this all began for you. Had been you following this within the information when the shootout occurred?
No, no, I got here to it pretty late, really. I didn’t find out about it till 10 years later. I used to be doing analysis for one in every of my data, and it had a Native American theme. I ended up beginning a basis on the time that handled nothing however Native America. I observed that the South African apartheid system was mainly primarily based on what we did with our Native Individuals, and the entire homeland coverage type of got here from our primary reservation factor.
In order that connection was made, and I began doing a lot of analysis and we ended up, on the time, the Solidarity Basis ended up with extra details about Native America than the [Bureau of Indian Affairs]. [Laughs.] I imply, they used to return to us for info. So, yeah, I began to battle the great battle for Native America again then. I used to be attempting to make that my subsequent large concern. And, truthfully, it was unattainable. I didn’t succeed. [Laughs.] And I spotted, that is how we took over the nation within the first place. [Laughs.] The identical issues nonetheless exist, you already know?
So it was fairly a irritating couple of years, however I realized loads. I used to be spending quite a lot of time on the market, at Pine Ridge, so I realized about Leonard, and, in fact, I used to be outraged again then. I simply couldn’t imagine how apparent this was.
The closest I got here [to helping to get Peltier out of prison], to be sincere with you, was Trump.
Nicely, I began, you already know, getting shut to numerous folks. And so they saved going to jail.
The Trump folks you had been speaking to saved going to jail?
Yeah. And each time I used to be simply on the verge of creating the transfer, they go to jail.
What number of occasions did that occur?
That occurred twice. And one other two or three that had been, you already know, that must be in jail. [Laughs.] So it was similar to, it was simply so irritating.
Are you aware if, earlier than these folks went to jail, that the message had gotten via to Trump that this was one thing that he ought to do?
I’ll by no means make sure. After which we tried to get to his youngsters and Jared [Kushner] and, I imply, I truthfully thought in a weird approach that Trump was our greatest shot. I’m positive he would do it at present, wouldn’t he. [Laughs.] I’m considering, you already know, it’s acquired to be someone not afraid of insulting the FBI. I believe he most likely wouldn’t have an issue with this at present. [Laughs.] However even the FBI, I imply, I’ve acquired buddies within the FBI, and all people feels the identical approach about it.
What do your folks say over there?
That they’re not going to battle on his behalf, however they comprehend it’s flawed.
Have you ever had any contact with Biden’s White Home about Leonard?
You already know, I performed it sensible with Trump as a result of I had Leonard on my thoughts your entire time, and proper up till close to the top I didn’t say one single crucial factor about him, OK? And that was not straightforward. I actually was like, I’m going to try to be cool as a result of I acquired larger issues on my thoughts.
With Biden, you already know, I really like the person, however I’ve been simply sick ever since he acquired in. It’s simply been so irritating. Each transfer he’s made has been the flawed transfer. This week he’s lastly waking up, and I hope he wakes up. However, you already know, I’ve been calling Merrick Garland “Barney Fife” for 2 years. I’ve been very crucial of them as a result of, you already know, I’m not mad on the Republicans. They’re all criminals, you already know what I imply? Criminals do what criminals do. However the place are the robust good guys? The place are the great guys which are alleged to be defending us? And arresting these creeps? It’s simply not occurring. I’m like, sufficient with this bipartisanship nonsense.
So lastly this week, I’m thrilled, he lastly is combating again a little bit bit.
Are you aware concerning the Darkish Brandon memes?
Yeah. Let’s hope he stays. However, I imply, I’ll be happier when the “semi” a part of the “semi-fascist” goes away.
So that you haven’t reached out to Biden people about Leonard.
No, I’ve been very crucial of them. So I’ve been reluctant to do this. I’ve been doing it via third events, in fact, continuously. However I don’t actually know them. I imply, I talked to [White House chief of staff] Ron Klain as soon as. I talked to a number of others.
Did you discuss to him about Leonard?
No, it was a common factor, simply attempting to get them to get up, you already know? Battle this struggle, you already know? What they don’t appear to grasp is his approval ranking isn’t just concerning the economic system. That’s a part of it. Sadly, he made the error of taking credit score for these inflations, which he had nothing to do with…. America likes energy, OK? If he got here throughout as robust as he’s now sounding this week, imagine me, his approval ranking goes to leap up as a result of it’s not nearly inflation. If he explains, to start with, if the unique [“Build Back Better”] deal had gone via, the $4 trillion one, there wouldn’t have been inflation. OK?
It’s a little bit extra difficult than that. And the reality is, if it had handed, due to the creep traitors [Sens. Kyrsten] Sinema and [Joe] Manchin, if that they had really been actual Democrats and didn’t wish to kill the Democratic Get together and kill this administration, and had gone together with it, that might’ve fully worn out the inflation downside, I’m telling you proper now. However as a substitute, he takes this, “Nicely, can’t all of us get all alongside” perspective after we’re in the midst of a fucking struggle. A struggle, OK?
It’s fairly appalling that a number of the dangerous issues occurring round right here in plain view don’t appear to have penalties.
You already know, this begins with [special counsel Robert] Mueller. I hate to say it, however that was our final finest hope. Right here’s a man who spent his entire life, a official hero, doing nothing however service for the nation and ends his profession a sniveling coward ― outsmarted by Rudy Giuliani standing by a fictitious protocol that doesn’t exist. You possibly can’t indict a sitting president. The place is it written? Present me. It doesn’t exist. And if the man was going to observe that fictitious protocol, he shouldn’t have took the gig within the first place.
And, in fact, the Congress doesn’t do one factor about it. After which DOJ does nothing about it. And now the seven-year factor has handed, the chance to indict on that.
What are we ready for right here? You already know, Trump is responsible of treason in like 10 alternative ways. However possibly they’re getting sensible lastly.
What’s it with Leonard’s scenario that has saved you so centered on it for actually a long time? What’s behind the endurance there?
I hate injustice. I hate injustice, and I hate bullies. I simply can’t tolerate it. Injustice that’s this outrageous, he’s now grow to be an emblem of the final injustice in opposition to Native Individuals because the starting. He’s actually our home political prisoner, you already know? I respect us getting prisoners out of different locations.
You imply like Brittney Griner.
Yeah, you already know, and I’m all for that clearly. I assumed that ought to’ve occurred loads sooner, to be sincere. However that is like, we’ve one in every of these. We’ve got an absolute home political prisoner, and we must be embarrassed about that. I don’t know what it’s going to take. I imply seven fucking presidents, man. Come on.
So if you happen to had 5 minutes alone with Biden, what would you say?
I’d say, pay attention, Joe. You wish to run once more? You wish to win? You wish to maintain the Home and Senate? I’ll provide you with a speech proper now that can bounce your approval ranking up 10 factors instantly.
And right here’s the speech: “I’ve tried with all my coronary heart to embrace bipartisanship. However sadly, the Republicans, they don’t wish to hear it. They wish to take away your Social Safety. They wish to take away your Medicare. They don’t wish to care about your kids at school. They’re attempting to inform you, you already know, what books to learn, what you may learn, what historical past you may know, what girls can do with their our bodies. They’re alleged to be representing freedom? How is that freedom? So it’s time to declare struggle on those that have clearly determined they’re not concerned about being American anymore. They’re anti-American. They’re un-American, all proper? As a result of we imagine in range. We don’t imagine in suppressing the vote, and we don’t imagine in gerrymandering and dishonest on voting, OK? So it’s time to truly face the details. It’s time for everyone on the market to grow to be Democrats and vote Democrat and let’s get this factor completed.”
After which my final 30 seconds can be, “By the way in which, Joe, let’s get Leonard Peltier out of jail, OK?” As a result of sufficient is sufficient.
And, by the way in which, Joe has been, you already know, fairly terrific with getting Native Individuals into his Cupboard. I believe most likely greater than possibly anyone in historical past, I don’t know. So I’d say, OK, now let’s full the job. And, by the way in which, on the aspect, I’d say, politically it doesn’t harm. It’s not going to harm you in North Dakota and South Dakota and Arizona and locations the place they’ve an enormous Native American inhabitants, which you could possibly use in your aspect. OK? Let’s do one thing that’s a minimum of symbolic for them and possibly with actual substance, I’d hope additionally.
So that might be like my common dialog. I’d be like, it’s time to declare struggle, man. Present them you’re a fighter. You already know? You’re not going to take this mendacity down. You’ve been attempting and attempting and attempting, and imagine me, all people’s going to imagine that since you’ve been like Mr. Rodney King right here, ‘Can’t all of us get alongside,’ whereas they beat the shit of you. You already know? All due respect, you’re following the footsteps of Obama, who I really like, I’m sorry, however who introduced a knife to a gunfight. It’s time to battle again.
Talking of Obama, did you attain out to his people in any respect about Leonard?
Sure. And I even advised Bruce [Springsteen] to say it to him.
Did Bruce point out it to Obama?
I don’t know. I believe so.
Does Bruce share your emotions on this?
I’ve advised him about it. I haven’t made an enormous deal out of it with him, however he is aware of what I do. He has his personal issues, I don’t wish to impose on his personal, you already know, he has many, many issues he’s combating for as nicely.
The rest you wish to say about Leonard Peltier or politics usually?
I believe if the midterms go the way in which they need to, you already know, if the goddamn DNC and DCCC and DLCC and all these marketing campaign organizations wake the fuck up, OK, and clarify to folks, you’ve acquired to be insane to vote for Republicans, OK? What’s the matter with you, you already know? I imply, they’re taking away Social Safety and Medicare. Isn’t that sufficient?
We haven’t even talked about Jan. 6.
Oh fuh-get it. Fuh-get it. That is precisely the issue, OK? What are they doing with these folks? They’re giving them fucking parking tickets. I imply, they need to have been actually shot, OK? As they’d’ve been had they been Black or had they been Muslim. Had they been something besides white supremacists, they’d’ve been killed on the spot. Appropriately so. And what occurs? You give them parking tickets. And guess what? That’s not scaring anyone into legislation and order. And this entire lawlessness, it begins on the high. It begins with a man occurring TV saying, “Overthrow the federal government,” and he’s taking part in golf day by day.
[Fox News’ Sean] Hannity and [Tucker] Carlson, they need to be arrested for homicide after what they did with COVID. Trump must be arrested for homicide, the most important mass assassin in historical past, murdered 1,000,000 folks. Folks forgot about that? He didn’t imagine in science. He didn’t imagine his day by day briefing. He didn’t learn it 30 days in a row saying an emergency is coming, which he admitted to [Bob] Woodward in his guide. He admitted it to him. 1,000,000 folks he murdered, not one particular person on Fifth Avenue. I imply, what does it take? He admits to obstruction of justice on NBC, saying “I fired [FBI Director James] Comey as a result of he was investigating me.” Is there any higher definition of obstruction of justice than that? I fired him as a result of he was investigating me for against the law?
That is what’s been occurring, and other people see this. It filters down, and there’s this entire discuss of violence, violence, violence. I imply, fucking Lindsey Graham. Yeah, Mr. Robust Man, you already know. He’s an actual [laughs], he’s an actual robust one, huh? There’s going to be violence within the streets? I’m positive you’re going to be proper on the market, Lindsey, you already know, main the rioters. [Laughs.] However that fixed discuss of violence, you already know, that is what fascism is all about. That’s why I hope the “semi” a part of Biden’s description begins to go away.
Anyway, I’m simply venting. Do your factor.