Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist who has spent nearly five decades behind bars, will now serve the rest of his two life sentences at home. On Monday, former President Joe Biden granted him clemency, a decision that has sparked both celebration and controversy. Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975, a case that has remained a point of contention for decades.
For many in Native communities, the decision is seen as a long-overdue step toward justice. Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, called it a win for Native Americans, emphasizing the strained history between Indigenous peoples and the U.S. government.
“This is a victory for Indian Country,” Star Comes Out said. “The evidence never pointed to Leonard as the shooter. It’s been clear for years that investigators couldn’t prove who was responsible.”
Star Comes Out had been advocating for Peltier’s release for years. Last month, he met with the U.S. Parole Board and wrote to President Biden, urging clemency. His plea echoed a similar call from a former federal prosecutor involved in Peltier’s case, who described the conviction and lengthy incarceration as unjust.
However, not everyone agrees with the decision. South Dakota’s Attorney General Marty Jackley has been vocal in opposing any changes to Peltier’s sentence. He pointed out that more than 20 federal judges have upheld Peltier’s conviction over the years.
Congressman Dusty Johnson also criticized the clemency, calling it “a serious mistake.” He highlighted a letter from FBI Director Christopher Wray, sent to President Biden earlier this month, which urged the administration to maintain Peltier’s conviction and sentence.
The debate over Peltier’s guilt and whether justice was served continues to divide opinions. While some see his release as a step toward healing, others believe it undermines the justice system. For now, Leonard Peltier’s next chapter will unfold at home, far from the prison walls that have confined him for nearly 50 years.
