Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who spent decades in prison for his role in a shootout with FBI agents, has been released from prison.
Peltier was released from a federal prison in Florida Tuesday morning.
He was convicted for the murder of two FBI agents – Ronald Williams and Jack Coler – on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975. Peltier has always maintained his innocence.
Former President Joe Biden granted him clemency in the final days of his administration last month.
Peltier, who is now 80, will serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement in North Dakota.
Some civil rights groups, including Amnesty International and NDN Collective, are celebrating Peltier's release. He is seen by some as one of America’s longest serving political prisoners.
“We made a commitment to free Leonard Peltier and bring him back to his homelands – this is us fulfilling that commitment,” said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective Founder and CEO. “We are welcoming Leonard back home in a beautiful way to thank him for his legacy by feeding the people, thanking everyone who fought for him for years, and honoring those who fought for his freedom but are no longer with us.”
Others have publicly spoken out against the decision to release Peltier, including Sen. John Thune and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.
