Peltier, who has always maintained his innocence in the killing of two FBI agents 50 years ago, was released Tuesday from a federal prison in Florida.

Native American activist Leonard Peltier was defiant toward the government but grateful to his family and supporters as they welcomed him home to North Dakota, one day after his release from a Florida prison where he had been serving a life sentence in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

Mr. Peltier’s murder conviction and two life sentences, stemming from a 1975 shootout with F.B.I. agents on a reservation, have been widely criticized.

Joe Biden granted clemency to the Native American rights activist literally minutes before his presidency ended.

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier has been released from a high-security Florida prison. Peltier was freed Tuesday morning, nearly a month after then-President Joe Biden commuted his life sentence in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

Activists who have called for Leonard Peltier's release for nearly half a century welcomed him home Wednesday.

After nearly 50 years of incarceration, Native American political activist Leonard Peltier has been released from prison. Former President Joe Biden commuted his sentence in January before leaving office.

Leonard Peltier spoke to supporters Wednesday afternoon at the Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt, a day after his release from federal prison.

It's been 49 years straight in prison for something I didn't do,” Leonard Peltier said, close to tears. “I didn't think I was going to make it.”