RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE reacts to JOE BIDEN’s pardon of activist LEONARD PELTIER.
After news broke of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon activist Leonard Peltier, Rage Against the Machine reacted, saying that “Justice will finally be served.”
The Zack de la Rocha fronted band have long campaigned for Peltier to be released from prison, bringing the issue to light most famously in the music video for their song “Freedom.”
The band shared a clip of the video to their Instagram with the caption: “Anger is a gift. Leonard Peltier to be freed.”
Guitarist Tom Morello also took to social media to praise Peltier’s pardon, writing:
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.”
Drummer Brad Wilk also posted on Instagram to celebrate, writing:
“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 Clinton’s 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.”
