Since 1975, the FBI has waged a vicious campaign to pin the murder of two of its agents at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on grassroots Indian leaders—to destroy AIM, the American Indian Movement, and one of its spiritual and charismatic leaders. Thus, the FBI targeted Leonard Peltier and fought to keep him falsely imprisoned.

However, they should have known you cannot forever imprison the truth. On February 18th, Leonard will walk out of prison, greeted by the sound of drums and the burning of sage before boarding a private plane to go home.

Many long-term supporters of Peltier have worked tirelessly to educate the public about the horrific persecution and prosecution he endured. Jack Healy, Director of the Human Rights Action Center, pursued every avenue—even moving up through the ranks of the Catholic Church to the Pope. Many of my Amnesty International friends also did everything they could to keep the spotlight on Leonard and his failing health.

International organizations and celebrities like Nelson Mandela pleaded for Peltier’s freedom for years. Legal scholars, human rights activists, and many others have argued that the charges, extradition, and subsequent conviction were not supported by solid evidence—but this did not stop the FBI.

Many have forgotten how the FBI and police despised activists and broke laws and basic human decency in their attempts to destroy movements such as the Black Panther Movement, the Chicano Movement, the Young Lords, and the Peace Movement. These groups were infiltrated by the FBI and state police networks, such as Colorado’s Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Guns and drugs were planted on many activists, and even direct assassinations took place during this time.

Eventually, the establishment found itself facing a strong and organized Indian movement. Moreover, there have always been jailhouse informants and others who repeated false police statements to secure convictions and reduce their sentences—even when cash exchanged hands.

I, too, experienced these injustices: as the leader of a small lettuce strike in Central Colorado, I had drugs planted on my car. In the San Luis Valley, the CBI carried out a sting operation that ended up charging and convicting dozens of youths on marijuana charges.

AIM shocked many by having its leaders and members courageously speak the truth about the Trail of Tears, General Custer, the Sand Creek Massacre, and many other events and broken treaties. The standoff at Pine Ridge attracted significant media attention, and Chicano activists and others risked their lives to join the protest, often delivering much-needed supplies.

It seemed that the white establishment could not tolerate the truth coming to light about America’s genocide of its First Nation peoples. Consequently, the situation escalated into an armed standoff during which many were injured and two FBI agents were killed.

Now, after 50 years, Leonard can finally go home. On President Joe Biden’s last day in office, he commuted Leonard’s sentence to house arrest, and thousands are expected to visit and meet him.

Leonard Peltier, like Nelson Mandela, is a hero of our human rights movement.