Due to the political nature of the Peltier case, a high level of public awareness is critical if new legal efforts are to succeed. Here's some of the things you can do to educate others about the Peltier case:

• Set up literature tables at events/public places.

• Organize teach-ins.

• Host speaking engagements.

• Plan showings of electronic media. Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story is available for purchase from Amazon.com, or you may locate a VHS tape or DVD at your favorite movie rental outlet. In addition, Amazon.com offers a downloadable, low-cost digital version. Restrictions apply. We also strongly recommend "Warrior," on VHS. Order online through Native Videos.

• Write letters to editors of local newspapers.

• Encourage community television stations to highlight the case.

• Place calls to radio call-in shows. Express your opinions and educate others.

• Hold book readings featuring "My Life Is My Sun Dance" by Leonard Peltier.

Enlist your friends, family, and community members in the freedom campaign. Hold events or facilitate activities that will spread awareness about the new strategies, while galvanizing active support.

Here are some ideas that have worked well in the past:

Potluck/Meeting—Invite friends, family and coworkers, local organizations, fellow supporters, and potential supporters to a potluck and planning meeting. Discuss the case and new strategies. Plan outreach, fundraising and mobilization efforts for the months to come. The discussion might include:

• Planning fundraisers

• Planning to attend court or congressional hearings

• Planning outreach efforts, such as regular leafleting in a public place, video showings, or talks

• Visiting local churches, labor unions, civil and human rights organizations to ask them to pass a formal resolution and for other participation and support.

Vigil—Hold a vigil on or around significant case-related dates—June 26th, for example. Invite local organizations, church members, tribal members, and general public to attend. Alert the media and announce new strategies at the vigil. Inform attendees of ways to get involved on a local level.

Fundraiser—Hold a benefit concert with local bands, a poetry reading, or Indian taco or bake sales to raise funds to support the freedom campaign. Use the fundraiser to distribute information and announce new strategies.

Leafleting—If you are not in a position to coordinate an event, consider leafleting in a busy area to generate more awareness.  Download publications here.

Petition Drive—Collect signatures of people in your community who support Leonard Peltier's parole, the release of FBI case documents, an award of Executive Clemency to Leonard Peltier, and/or congressional hearings on the "Reign of Terror" on the Pine Ridge Reservation during the 1970s.

Contact us for more information and resources.