Rage Against the Machine Issue Statements About Joe Biden Commuting Leonard Peltier’s Sentence
Yesterday was a sad, dark day for this failed experiment in democracy we call the United States as a convicted felon was inaugurated into the highest office in the country, one of his biggest backers gave a pair of Nazi salutes on national television, and the new president tried to unwrite the rule of law by executive order because nobody explained to the big baby that laws don’t work that way. Meanwhile, the departing president largely left behind a legacy of inaction and ineffectual leadership. But there was one glimmer of hope as Joe Biden, on his way out of office, commuted the life sentence of Native American activist Leonard Peltier. A lot of people who have been championing Peltier’s innocence for decades were happy to hear the news, and few were as excited as left-wing rap-metal legends Rage Against the Machine.
For those who need a little history lesson, Peltier was a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) who was sentenced to two life sentences for his involvement in a shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975 that resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents. Peltier has long maintained his innocence, and a number of human rights organizations and activists have been campaigning for his release over the past 50 years. Biden’s act commutes Peltier’s sentence from life in prison to indefinite house arrest, allowing the activist to live out his remaining years at home.
Rage Against the Machine have long been supporters of Peltier, with his release being one of their principal political causes since day one. So, despite the band not being together anymore, they released a brief statement as a band on their official Instagram, as well as individual statements from guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk. The band’s statement, which was posted alongside a video explaining the history of Peltier’s imprisonment to the tune of the band’s song “Freedom,” simply read:
“Anger is a gift.
Leonard Peltier to be freed.”
Morello posted a more figurative video on his Instagram, set to the same RATM song, with the following caption:
“LEONARD PELTIER IS GOING HOME!! For almost 5 decades human rights organizations, Native American activists, average everyday people and bands like RATM have lobbied for the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Leonard has become a friend over the years and I am so glad at 80 years old and in poor health he will be able to spend his remaining years with family and friends. For this MASSIVE RIFF MONDAY there can be only one choice, RATM’s “FREEDOM” whose video exposed a new generation to this historical injustice.”
Meanwhile, Wilk only posted a simple “Free Leonard” graphic on his Instagram with this caption:
“After almost 50 years of unjust incarceration, clemency was finally granted to Leonard Peltier! From as far back as the first RATM video which marks his story and the incident at Oglala to marching in the streets of NY at the end of Clintons term and beyond we have been hoping for this day of clemency and Justice for Peltier to finally come. The necklace in slide (7) was made for me in jail by Leonard. He made one for all four of us after we released the Freedom video. Unreal…. Feels bitter sweet… but clemency will finally be served for Leonard Peltier.”
So, while there’s a lot to be angry about from yesterday, a lot to be scared of, and a lot that just makes this whole country look dumb for re-electing a lunatic, there’s at least one reason to celebrate.
