Leonard Peltier, 80, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa member and activist, returned home after nearly 50 years in federal prison, addressing a large crowd at Sky Dancer Casino and Resort in Belcourt, ND today. President Biden commuted his life sentence for the 1975 murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, though Peltier will serve the remainder under home confinement. Peltier, who maintains his innocence, was welcomed with emotional celebrations, including traditional ceremonies. His community had been advocating for his release due to claims of innocence. He spoke of his harsh prison conditions and acknowledged positive changes in his community. His case was marked by claims of racial discrimination and a flawed trial, and it has been a major Indigenous rights issue.
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