Leonard Peltier Released After 49 Years Following Biden's Commutation

Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist, was released from a Florida prison after nearly 50 years following the commutation of his sentence by former President Joe Biden. Peltier was convicted in 1977 for the killings of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, a conviction he has always contested, citing trial misconduct and withheld evidence. His release has sparked a polarized response; supporters view him as a political prisoner and symbol of systemic injustice for Native Americans, while critics, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, maintain he is guilty of murder. Peltier, now 80 years old and in poor health, is returning to his tribal lands under home confinement, where a welcoming event is planned. His case has drawn attention from various human rights organizations and prominent figures advocating for his clemency. Despite the commutation, Peltier's conviction remains intact, and he did not receive a pardon.