
‘Free at Last’: President Biden Grants Leonard Peltier Clemency
Creator has gifted our Uncle Freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2025
Sumterville, FL – After nearly five decades of incarceration, Leonard Peltier, the Anishinaabe-Lakota activist and member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), is going home. Today, President Joe Biden granted Leonard Peltier executive clemency, commuting the remainder of his sentence. This long-awaited decision follows decades of grassroots organizing, tireless advocacy in Indian Country, and mounting evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional violations in Peltier’s 1977 conviction.

For Indigenous communities, this moment is monumental, a powerful testament to the enduring strength of intergenerational resistance.

“It’s Finally Over – I’m Going Home”
“I’m going home,” said Leonard Peltier, now 80 years old. “I want to show the world I’m a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me.”

Leonard’s release marks the culmination of a half-century of relentless efforts by Indigenous leaders, activists, organizations, and allies worldwide. His case has long symbolized the deep injustices Indigenous people face within the U.S. legal system – and the enduring hope for freedom, healing, and justice.

Nick Tilsen, CEO and Founder of NDN Collective, captured the spirit of the day, stating, “Leonard Peltier’s liberation is our liberation. While home confinement is not complete freedom, we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture.”
Grassroots Resistance: A Victory for All

The decision to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier is far more than an individual victory – it’s a collective one. Holly Cook Macarro, representing Government Affairs for NDN Collective, described the day as a triumph for generations of activists who fought for Peltier’s freedom.
“Today’s decision shows the combined power of grassroots organizing and advocacy at the highest levels of government,” said Macarro. “We are grateful to President Biden and the leadership of Secretary Deb Haaland. All of us here today stand on the shoulders of three generations of activists who have fought for justice for Leonard Peltier. Today is a monumental victory – the day that Leonard Peltier finally goes home.”
Peltier’s clemency is a symbol of resilience and determination, a reminder of the enduring fight for Indigenous sovereignty, justice, and dignity. As Nick Tilsen emphasized, “Let Leonard’s freedom be a reminder that the entire so-called United States is built on the stolen lands of Indigenous people – and that Indigenous people have successfully resisted every attempt to oppress, silence, and colonize us. Our resistance will never stop.”

The Road Ahead: Reconnecting with Land and Culture
Though Leonard Peltier’s release marks the end of one chapter, it also begins a new one. For Peltier, this means returning to his homelands, reconnecting with his culture, and embracing the healing process. For Indigenous activists, it’s a call to continue building on this victory, ensuring that future generations inherit a more just and equitable world.
Peltier’s words carry hope and purpose: “I want to help the people.” As he prepares to return home, his story will continue to inspire movements for justice, healing, and the reclaiming of Indigenous identity.
A Podcast Episode Dedicated to Leonard Peltier’s Legacy

The Thunderbird Group Podcast will soon release a special episode reflecting on Leonard Peltier’s legacy, his journey, and what this historic clemency means for Indian Country. Join us as we honor the decades of organizing and advocacy that made this day possible.
In this episode, we’ll hear from activists, leaders, and allies who have fought tirelessly for Leonard’s freedom, and we’ll explore how his story fits into the broader struggle for justice and liberation for Indigenous peoples.
The Call to Action Continues

Leonard Peltier’s clemency is a profound milestone, but it’s also a reminder of the work that remains. Indigenous activists continue to fight systemic injustices, push for sovereignty, and protect sacred lands. As Peltier’s story shows, change is possible when grassroots organizing meets unrelenting hope.
Stay tuned to the Thunderbird Group Podcast for updates, interviews, and stories that amplify the voices of Indian Country. Let us honor Leonard’s freedom by carrying his message forward: the fight for justice is not over, but together, we are unstoppable.
Listen, share, and join the movement.
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