> From: "LPDC" <lpdc at idir.net>
> Subject: Press Release, Peltier Receives Long Awaited Treatment
> Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 18:50:19 -0600
>
> Friends,
>
> Here is a press release which you can forward to your local media. You will
> notice that the surgery was performed yesterday, not today as we had
> misunderstood before. Attorneys will be visiting Peltier in person as soon
> as possible. Again, we thank you for your quick responses regarding the
> transfer. There is no reason to call Rochester, the BOP or Leavenworth any
> more and continued calls could have an adverse effect on Leonard so we do
> request that no more calls be made at this point. Thanks again for making
> Leonard's transfer a reality.
>
> In solidarity,
> The LPDC
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
> March 22, 2000
>
> Contact:
> The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
> Co-coordinator, Gina Chiala
> 785-842-5774
>
> Leonard Peltier Receives Long Awaited Medical Treatment
>
> Native American activist, Leonard Peltier, underwent surgery yesterday by a
> Maxillofacial expert at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. E.E.
> Keller performed a five hour surgery on Peltier who had been suffering for
> the last four years from a severe condition which caused his jaw to be
> frozen open 13 millimeters. X-rays taken on Monday, March 20 showed that
> Leonard Peltier suffered from ankylosis on both sides of his mandible,
> meaning that his jaw was completely frozen and immobile, according to
> Keller. Keller reported today that the surgery went smoothly and Peltier's
> jaw has been returned to normal. He reported that Peltier is happy and
> recovering comfortably.
>
> Leonard Peltier was suddenly transferred from Leavenworth Federal
> Penitentiary to the Rochester Medical Facility on Monday, March 20. [Neithe=
> r]
> Peltier nor his attorneys knew that the transfer would take place. Prison
> authorities have denied Peltier=92s attorneys access to Peltier by phone or
> visit thus far. Until today, they were given no information by the Bureau
> of Prisons about Peltier=92s current situation.
>
> Peltier contracted tetanus as a child which caused him to have long lasting
> problems with his jaw. However, two surgeries performed at the Federal
> Springfield Medical Facility in 1996 far worsened his condition and resulted
> in ankylosis. During his stay at Springfield, Peltier was housed in "the
> hole" or solitary confinement to recover. Dr. Keller had written to the
> warden at Leavenworth in 1997, offering to treat Peltier but prison
> officials insisted he undergo a third surgery at Springfield instead.
> Peltier refused. Since then, members of Congress, United Nations officials,
> human rights organizations and hundreds of concerned supporters have
> been writing to prison officials to urge them to transfer Peltier to the May=
> o
> Clinic. For a year prison officials have been responding to such requests
> by reporting Peltier=92s condition to be "stable" and not "warranting"
> treatment. (Letters from prison officials available upon request).
>
> Leonard Peltier, considered by Amnesty International to be a political
> prisoner who should be immediately and unconditionally released, was
> convicted in 1977 for the murders of two FBI agents. After being faced with
> formerly withheld evidence on appeal casting serious doubt on Mr. Peltier's
> guilt, the prosecution admitted that it could not prove who actually shot
> the agents or what participation Mr. Peltier may have had in their deaths.
> Peltier will be reviewed for parole on June 12, 2000.
>
> Call the White House Comments Line Today
> Demand Justice for Leonard Peltier! 202-456-1111
>
> Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
> PO Box 583
> Lawrence, KS 66044
> 785-842-5774
> www.freepeltier.org
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