INTERIM NATIONAL BRANCH SUPPORT GROUP COORDINATOR:
The responsibility of the coordinator is to develop a Leonard Peltier Branch Support Group network of the LP-DOC throughout the US, with the foundations and guidelines to create a functioning and effective network of communication and action.
The purpose of this network is to create public awareness of the case of Leonard Peltier who has served nearly 33 years in a federal prison for a crime the government has admitted it could no longer prove. www. whoisleonardpeltier. info
The coordinator will assist these groups in developing ideas and to conduct educational events in their area.
It is recommended that if you want to contact the coordinator with questions, please send an email to the following address due to the unreliable nature of myspace messaging. [email protected]
LEONARD PELTIER BRANCH SUPPORT GROUPS
Raise Awareness About Peltier's Case
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 are some of the things you can do to educate your community about the Peltier case:
* Set up literature tables at events/public places. Download publications (see links under Resources on our main menu). * Organize teach-ins. * Host speaking engagements with Peltier spokespeople. * Plan showings of electronic media. While "Incident at Oglala" is out of print, copies still in circulation are often available for purchase from Amazon. com, eBay, etc., and VHS and DVD copies are available to rent in many rental outlets. Amazon. com also 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. Click here for newspapers in your state. Also read these tips. * Encourage community television stations to highlight the case. Click here for TV stations in your state. * 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.
More Outreach Suggestions:
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 encourage other participation and support.
For more ideas go to: http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/educate.htm
Starting a Branch Support Group
First educate yourself on Peltier’s case, read the background of his case at the website, and obtain a DVD of Incident at Oglala and read Peter Matthiessens book, “In the Spirit of Crazy Horseâ€. You can see it on the website, but you’ll need to have your own copy.
If after what you have learned is enough for you to get involved, click on http://www. whoisleonardpeltier. info/branches. htm and download the form to apply. Then after completion send it to us. It doesn’t matter if it is just you, sometimes that is all it takes.
As a communication/networking tool of the LP-DOC, the functions of the group are to be to solely direct to Peltier’s cause. These groups have the responsibility of keeping personal agenda’s or other issues separate from Peltier’s cause.
These groups will act upon the official communications as it is distributed from the list serve or directly from the committee. This is to avoid any unauthorized activities from possibly jeopardizing, however unintentional, any plans being developed to secure Peltier’s release.
Carry handouts/fact-sheets with you with your group contact info, utilize Myspace. com as a networking tool for the support groups, and always think of ways to create a conversation about Leonard while you are commuting/traveling, at work/school, or picking something up at the store. I will be developing a Branch Support Group Handbook to help provide with ideas and guidelines (see blog under Support Group Advisory).
In the meantime, you can contact me if you have questions. We will also set up conference calls with LPBSG at least once a month so we can share ideas and work together.
We need:
* New and former supporters to start or help to start the Branch Support Groups. * Former Peltier contacts to reconnect with us. * Entertainers to contact us about helping with a benefit. * Volunteers to research and compile contact lists, state by state, of news media and Native American Studies Departments, etc * Creative ideas to put Peltier’s name and case in the public mind
And as those needs arise, we’ll put out the call for action.
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