Leonard Peltier Released After Nearly 50 Years in Prison

Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist, has been released from prison after serving nearly 50 years for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents during a confrontation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. His life sentence was commuted by former President Joe Biden, allowing him to serve the remainder of his term in home confinement on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota. Peltier's supporters, who view him as a political prisoner wrongfully convicted for his activism, are preparing a welcome event to honor his return. Despite his claims of innocence and assertions that he fired shots in self-defense, law enforcement officials, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, have criticized the commutation, labeling Peltier as a 'remorseless killer.' Peltier's release is seen by many as a significant moment for the Native American community, with supporters celebrating this step towards justice and dignity after decades of advocacy. As he prepares to reunite with family and supporters, Peltier expressed gratitude to those who fought for his freedom, asserting that while he was imprisoned, his spirit remained unbroken.