While many Americans are celebrating the ideas of freedom and democracy this week, the longest-serving Indigenous political prisoner in U.S. history was just denied parole. This is a disheartening reminder of the systemic inequities of the criminal justice system for Native Americans. The Department of Justice and the U.S. Parole Commission have refused to acknowledge strong evidence that Leonard Peltier received an unfair trial and to correct this human rights travesty. Mr. Peltier should be able to live out the rest of his life in dignity with this family on his ancestral homelands, not aging in poor health inside a jail cell.

Our hearts and prayers are with him. Native Organizers Alliance will continue to stand with Mr. Peltier and advocate for his freedom.