Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier has been released from a high-security Florida prison. For nearly half a century, Peltier's imprisonment has symbolized systemic injustice for Native Americans who believe in his innocence.

Last week, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians hosted a welcome home celebration for Leonard Peltier, 80, who spent 49 years in maximum security federal prison for the convictions of a two FBI agents were fatally shot in the summer of 1975.

Supporters of Native American activist Leonard Peltier have gathered at an event center in Belcourt Feb. 19, 2025, to welcome and celebrate Peltier, one day after his release from federal prison. Peltier had been serving a life sentence following his conviction in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

Peltier's imprisonment had symbolized systemic injustice for Native Americans across the country who believe in his innocence.

But the move just before Biden left office also prompted criticism from those who say Peltier is guilty, including former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who called him “a remorseless killer” in a private letter to Biden obtained by the Associated Press.

Killer and American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier to receive welcome home bash 49 years after conviction in FBI agents' murders at Pine Ridge.

The Indigenous activist was serving two life sentences for the 1975 killings, which he argued were in self-defense.

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier is set to be released from a Florida prison Tuesday based on former President Joe Biden having commuted his life sentence for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents, a decision that elated Peltier's supporters while angering law enforcement officials who believe in his guilt.

The 80-year-old Native American activist, who maintains his innocence, was released to home confinement after nearly 50 years in prison

The commutation, praised by advocates who say Peltier was a political prisoner, prompted criticism from some who say Peltier is guilty, including a former FBI director.

Peltier's imprisonment has symbolized systemic injustice for Native Americans across the country who believe in his innocence.

Native American activist Leonard Peltier was released from a Florida prison on Tuesday, weeks after then-President Joe Biden angered law enforcement officials by commuting his life sentence to home confinement in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.