Activist’s attorneys file lawsuits against FBI

Attorneys for imprisoned American Indian activist Leonard Peltier today are to file a lawsuit against the FBI director, agents association and a list of agents.

The suit will claim that the agency violated Peltier’s constitutional rights by making false and unsupported statements to the public, the Department of Justice, the United States Parole Commission and former President Bill Clinton, according to the Lawrence-based Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.

The complaint, to be filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleges that the FBI “engaged in a systematic and officially sanctioned campaign of misinformation and disinformation” designed to prevent Peltier from receiving fair clemency and parole reviews.

The suit comes on the heels of an FBI campaign to stop Clinton from issuing Peltier a grant of executive clemency during his last days in office, the committee said.

Peltier has served more than 26 years in prison for the death of two FBI agents killed in a 1975 shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Coalition having forum on 31st Street corridor

The Southside Coalition of Neighborhoods is having a “community study session” on the 31st Street corridor.

Among the speakers: Brian Gower, an engineer with the Kansas Department of Transportation; Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug and Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Director Linda Finger.

Members of the coalition believe current shortfalls in the state budget make it likely the South Lawrence Trafficway won’t be built; instead, they believe a “throughway” on 31st Street, from Noria Road to Kasold Drive, will be created. The study session will focus on land use, infrastructure and financial decisions.

The study session will be 7 p.m. today in the Bly Room of Holcom Recreation Center, 2700 W. 27th St.

Birding weekend features prairie chicken booming

The city of Washington is offering a birding weekend that includes an excursion Saturday to a prairie chicken blind to watch the birds’ mating ritual, called booming.

The weekend, which costs $10 plus lodging, includes a 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday reception at Washington’s historic City Hall. At the reception, visiting bird-watching enthusiasts and local participants can meet and chat.

At 5 a.m. Saturday, the group leaves the Washington Motel, one of the event’s sponsors, for the booming grounds. Speakers and a dinner are among the day’s events.

For reservations, call the Washington Motel, (785) 325-2281.