SUMTERVILLE, Fla. — Leonard Peltier, an activist known for his advocacy for Native American rights, was granted release from prison on Tuesday. His departure comes shortly after President Joe Biden’s decision to commute his life sentence to home confinement, a move that ruffled the feathers of many in law enforcement due to the involvement of Peltier in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.
At 80 years old, Peltier left the Coleman penitentiary in a vehicle, without addressing the media or the supporters who gathered outside the prison to commemorate his release. His journey takes him back to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians’ reservation in North Dakota—where tribal members and friends had organized a celebration for him upon his return and arranged housing for his home confinement.
Throughout his nearly five decades behind bars, Peltier has consistently denied involvement in the murders of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams during a violent encounter on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Many in the Native American community view Peltier as a political prisoner wrongfully incarcerated for his activism with the American Indian Movement (AIM) to champion tribal rights. Nick Estes, a professor of American Indian Studies and a member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, asserts that Peltier symbolizes the struggles of many who have faced oppression, profiling, and systemic injustice.
Biden stopped short of issuing a pardon for Peltier but reduced his sentence on January 20, 2023, citing his longstanding incarceration and deteriorating health. This action attracted backlash, particularly from those who believe in Peltier’s guilt, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who labeled Peltier a “remorseless killer” in a private correspondence to the president. Peltier’s attorney, Jenipher Jones, expressed excitement for his release and noted that he was in high spirits ahead of the event.
Supporters gathered outside the prison, some holding signs proclaiming “Free Leonard Peltier,” celebrated his release with enthusiasm. Ray St. Clair, a member of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, reflected on their disbelief that this moment would come, stating that it symbolizes the importance of perseverance and an opportunity to start healing past traumas.
Peltier’s conviction can be traced back to the events of 1975 on the Pine Ridge Reservation, where the two FBI agents met their demise while attempting to execute arrests on charges related to robbery and assault. The government claimed that Peltier executed the agents at close range. While Peltier admitted to being present and discharging his weapon, he contended that his actions were in self-defense, and he was not responsible for the agents’ deaths. A witness who initially testified against him later recanted, alleging that her statement had been coerced.
Convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, Peltier was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Two other AIM members involved were acquitted on the basis of self-defense. Many of Peltier’s advocates, as well as some former prosecutors, have raised concerns regarding the fairness of his trial and the evidence used against him. However, numerous appeals by Peltier for relief have been rejected by federal courts, as stated by Michael J. Clark, president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, who condemned the commutation as a poor reflection on the Biden administration.
Peltier’s last attempt at obtaining parole was denied in July, which means he was not eligible for reconsideration until 2026. Peltier’s early life was marked by hardship when he was taken from his family and forced into a boarding school, reflecting the broader historical injustices faced by many Indigenous children, who were often subjected to various forms of abuse.
Nick Tilsen, a long-time advocate for Peltier, emphasized the importance of this release for Peltier, who now looks forward to reconnecting with his family and embracing a sense of home after years of confinement. “He hasn’t really had a home since he was taken away to boarding school,” Tilsen stated. “So he is excited to be at home and paint and have grandkids running around.”
