Special Edition: In a powerful episode of the Native Bidaské, Holly Cook Macarro and Kevin Sharp discuss the decades-long fight to free the imprisoned Native American activist, and the role the Biden administration played in his commutation.
Host Levi Rickert sits down with Holly Cook Macarro, a member of the Red Lake Nation and a leading advocate for the release of Leonard Peltier, and Kevin Sharp, a former federal judge who took on Peltier's case pro bono in recent years.
The conversation covers the emotional journey of Peltier's impending release after nearly 50 years in prison, the complex legal and political battles that led to this moment, and the significance of Peltier's case as a symbol of the systemic injustices faced by Native Americans.
Holly Cook Macarro describes the "mixed emotions" of elation and relief, recounting her husband's pivotal meeting with President Biden on Air Force One where he advocated for Peltier's clemency. Sharp, who left the federal bench due to concerns about the criminal justice system, shares how delving into Peltier's case fundamentally reshaped his understanding of America's troubled history with Indigenous peoples.
The episode underscores the decades of grassroots activism and legal efforts that paved the way for Peltier's release, as well as the crucial role played by figures like Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in securing the president's intervention.
As Peltier, now 80 years old, prepares to reunite with his family, the podcast guests emphasize the importance of telling his story and reckoning with the broader context of systemic oppression that led to his imprisonment.
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