Pun Plamondon
Pun Plamondon | |
|---|---|
 Plamondon speaking at Kent State University in May 2009 | |
| Born | Lawrence Robert Plamondon April 27, 1945 Traverse City, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 2023[1] |
| Known for | Founder of the White Panther Party |
Lawrence "Pun" Plamondon (born April 27, 1945)[2] was a former 1960s left-wing activist who helped found the White Panther Party. He was the first hippie to be listed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list due to his alleged participation in a bombing, though charges were ultimately dropped due to high-level governmental agency misconduct — warrantless interception of phone calls based on a claim of "national security" — an issue finally decided on appeal by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Biography
Plamondon's birth father was half-Odawa and his birth mother was part-Ojibwe, which he was unaware of early in life. A Traverse City, Michigan, couple adopted him and gave him his name, Lawrence Robert Plamondon. Plamondon had a troubled childhood and left home as a teenager.[3]
At the age of 21, Plamondon was in Detroit, Michigan, in 1967, when the protests against the Vietnam War and a riot occurred. Making sandals during the day and smoking marijuana in the evening, he was soon meeting with John Sinclair.
In 1968, Plamondon and a few friends moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they established a commune at 1510 Hill Street. With John Sinclair, they founded the White Panther Party, which supported the goals of the Black Panther Party.[4] He was indicted for bombing a CIA office in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 29, 1968.[5][6][7] Changing his appearance, he went underground and fled to San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Germany, Italy, and finally to Algeria. In May 1970, he was listed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.[8] After a few months he covertly returned to the United States. In July 1970, Plamondon was discovered and arrested after being stopped for littering.[9] He was the 307th fugitive to be placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitives list and spent nearly three months on the list before being captured.[10]
While waiting trial and after being convicted, he spent 32 months in federal prison. During the trial, the government admitted to wiretapping without a warrant. The case went to the United States Supreme Court and was decided in United States v. U.S. District Court, also now famously known as the Keith Case, which held that not even the invocation of "national security" by the president of the United States could insulate illegal activity from Constitutional rights to privacy (407 U.S. 297 (1972)). The charges were dismissed.
Later, Plamondon found work as a roadie, driving equipment trucks for rock bands including Kiss and Foreigner.
Plamondon lived in Barry County, Michigan, with his wife Patricia Lynn. He was a self-employed carpenter. He told American Indian stories to young children at schools, libraries, museums, and summer camps. His home was a gathering place for American Indian celebrations.
Death and memorial
On June 12, 2021, the Ann Arbor Observer noted:
"June 16, 2023: Mike Smith & the Cadillac Cowboys.
Veteran local country band, led by singer-guitarist Smith, whose repertoire includes classic country, western swing, and boogie-woogie. This show is dedicated to the memory of the late Pun Plamondon, and during the break speakers reminisce about the life and accomplishments this 60s activist, cofounder of the Ann Arbor-based White Panther Party."[1]
See also
Writings
Plamondon's autobiography:
- Plamondon, Pun (2004). Lost from the Ottawa: The Story of the Journey Back. Victoria, B.C: Trafford. ISBN 1-4120-2265-7. Catalogue #04-0093.
References
- ^ a b Upcoming events Ann Arbor Observer
- ^ "1969 Lawrence Robert Plamondon (FBI Wanted Poster) Government Property". Worth Point. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021.
- ^ Aistars, Zinta (November 1, 2018). "Art Beat: From "Most Wanted" To Native American Storyteller". wmuk.org. Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on November 1, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- ^ Sinclair, Leni. "The Evolution of a Commune". Ann Arbor District Library. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Zbrozek, C (October 24, 2006). "The bombing of the A2 CIA office". Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ Salpukas, Agis (January 17, 1971). "Detroit Radicals Face Bomb Trial; Defense Challenges Jury System and Wiretapping". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ Staton, Ryan (October 3, 2021). "Looking back on the 1968 bombing of the CIA office in Ann Arbor". Mlive. Retrieved June 13, 2023.(subscription required)
- ^ "'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' Program Frequently Asked Questions". Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ "307. Lawrence Robert Plamondon". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives 301 to 400". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
General references
- Marsha Low, "'60s radical takes long trip back to his roots," Detroit Free Press, October 27, 2004, Sec. B.
Adapted from the Wikinfo article Lawrence (Pun) Plamondon (October 28, 2004, or earlier version) and is used under the GNU Free Documentation License