NewsJanuary 20, 2025 8:33 PM ET5,691 views

Rage Against The Machine react to Joe Biden commuting the sentence of Leonard Peltier

Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine have responded to the freeing of Leonard Peltier. The band have long campaigned for the indigenous activist, who was convicted in 1975 after being charged with killing two FBI agents following a shootout at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Despite the conviction, Peltier and his supporters have maintained his innocence over the years. As such, outgoing president Joe Biden chose to commute his life sentence.

Rage Against The Machine posted a short message on social media:

Anger is a gift.

Leonard Peltier to be freed.

Guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk commented as well:

Morello:

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.

Wilk:

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. 🥹🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼✊🏼

 

 




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