A small demonstration was held outside the Edmonton offices of Justice Minister Anne Mclellan, Monday, to draw attention to the plight of native-American activist Leonard Peltier.

Peltier has been in an American prison for 24 years after been convicted for the deaths of two FBI agents at a shoot-out on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota 25 years ago this month.

Peltier has been declared to be a political prisoner by Amnesty International and other prominent groups and individuals, as evidence has mounted that he was not directly involved in the deaths.

The Edmonton demonstration was organized by labour groups who say Peltier is a symbol of political prisoners around the world.

Ramon Antipan, vice-president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, says Peltier and former South African President Nelson Mandela have much in common.

"What Nelson Mandela represents for the black citizens in Africa and around the world, Leonard Peltier represents for aboriginal people," said Antipan.

Antipan says they want Canada's justice minister to appeal to U.S. President Bill Clinton to grant clemency to Peltier.

Under U.S. law, prisoners can be given their freedom during a president's final term in office.