Leonard Peltier's Sentence Commuted After 45 Years in Prison

President Biden's last-minute decision grants the Native American activist home confinement, but concerns over his safety and health persist.

Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist imprisoned for 45 years, had his sentence commuted by President Biden in the final minutes of his presidency.
Peltier, convicted for the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents during a shootout at Pine Ridge Reservation, has consistently maintained his innocence.
The commutation allows Peltier to transition to home confinement starting February 18, 2025, but activists remain worried about his health and safety while still in custody.
The new documentary 'Free Leonard Peltier,' which premiered at Sundance, explores his case, the American Indian Movement, and broader issues of justice for Indigenous people.
Critics of the film note its lack of depth in humanizing Peltier and its reliance on archival footage, though it highlights the broader struggles of Native Americans.