Bradley Manning Supporters Head To Fort Leavenworth

WASHINGTON -- Demonstrators from around the country will converge on Leavenworth, Kan., this Saturday to rally in support of Bradley Manning, the Army private accused of leaking classified documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks.

The event will mark the first public rally in support of Manning since he was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, after being imprisoned for nine months on the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia.

There, Manning was forced to sleep naked in a military jail after a commander of the brig in Quantico, Va., ordered his clothes be taken away for a full seven hours. He was also forced to stand naked outside his cell in front of the rest of the clothed inmates until he passed inspection and was given his clothes back.

"Due process and the assumption of innocence are principles we soldiers are sworn to defend, but PFC Bradley Manning has already been declared guilty by our Commander in Chief and subjected to unlawful pretrial punishment," said William Stewart-Starks, an organizer of Saturday's rally and a regional coordinator for Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Gathering in Bob Dougherty Memorial Park on Saturday, demonstrators will denounce Manning's treatment and call on the government to drop all charges against him.

The Pentagon has argued Manning was treated no differently than any other maximum security detainee, but Manning's supporters question that designation.

"Our leaders in Washington need to return to American principles of transparent and accountable government," said Jeff Paterson of the Bradley Manning Support Network. "That starts with protecting -- not prosecuting -- whistleblowers and dropping all charges against Bradley Manning."

Comments

[cdiasmd]

03:56 PM on 06/03/2011

In case you want a preview of how long Manning will be in prison AND who will be his bunk-mate:
20 May 2011, a military judge sentenced Bryan Minkyu Martin to 34 years in prison a day after he pleaded guilty to 11 charges including four counts of attempted espionage.

http://www.military.com/news/article/sailor-gets-34-years-in-prison-in-espionage-case.html?ESRC=dod.nl

[Wide Stance]

02:23 PM on 06/02/2011

Patriotism isn't measured by allegiance; it isn't unconditional. True patriotism is knowing when a behavior, policy or action has strayed from the principles and values on which a society was founded, and adapting accordingly. Patriotism isn't the product of blind allegiance--that is the definition of tyranny. The only unconditional necessity of patriotism is the consistent application of critical thought.

[Pashovski]

02:07 PM on 06/02/2011

Manning should of course be released immediately and given a civilian trial -- if any at all.

No mil trial can be un-corrupted after CiC pre-declares guilt

[WhereSheStops]

10:47 PM on 06/02/2011

Has Manning denied his guilt?

[TWhitley]

12:56 PM on 06/03/2011

Preposterous! Manning was and is a soldier, and soldiers are tried under the UCMJ. Case closed.

[Pashovski]

01:38 PM on 06/03/2011

1st. ur comment does not in n e way address what i said about POTUS at all.

2nd. Manning's treatment is a direct VIOLATION of the UCMJ

[terry63]

01:12 PM on 06/02/2011

The info on Manning looseing his cloth's are vague, If he lost them upon arrival at Levenwoth then it was a security issue. Just like any oher guy that goes to jail you loose youre cloths get a cavity search and then they give you another set. I dont know that , thats the case but it would make sence.

[The Big John]

12:58 PM on 06/02/2011

People do not want to know the truth. Protecting a lie is more important.

[terry63]

01:13 PM on 06/02/2011

Hitler wanted to know where the Marine's would land on D-Day also, Good thing nobody talked.

[Wide Stance]

02:47 PM on 06/02/2011

And with that, the thread is Godwin-ed.

[DMDAY44]

03:44 PM on 06/02/2011

Not to be picky, but the Marines did not land a Normandy, those were Army units.

[Eric4969]

12:21 PM on 06/02/2011

Question This kid leaked some info OK I Get it, BUT What if he led us to WAR ON A LIE on something like UM LETS see O i GOT lets say HE Lies About Weapons Of Mass Destruction and INVADES A Country on that What Would Happen to THAT PERSON? ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[terry63]

01:07 PM on 06/02/2011

Saddam invaded Iran in the 80's using chemical warfare on a broad scale against his foe, he then Used mustard gas on his own pople the Curds, a northern tribe. Then he invaded Kuwait, the U.N. led by the United States had to go in and route him out.He fired scud missiles into Israel, Then again he tried ti destroy another tribe of his own people. Bill Clinton put a no fly zone over Iraq because of this. His last offence was tumbing his nose at U.N. resolution 1441. Thats what started the war in Iraq.

[GuyCybershy]

04:57 PM on 06/02/2011

Saddam invaded Iran at our instigation. We then proceeded to prolong the long bloody conflict by arming both sides. Saddam was also quietly encouraged by the US to invade Kuwait, if one examines the diplomatic record of that time this becomes apparent. There was certainly no attempt to discourage him from so doing.

[lightblig]

04:41 PM on 06/02/2011

there's no need to question the ifs. The man simply released information of people abusing their power.

[sophie M]

12:18 PM on 06/02/2011

Has anyone been able to visit him at leavenworth? his parents ?
wish he had a different attorney.
Jack Rice .....XCIA , attorney .. .has said he would represent Manning.
if only that could happen.
we would know that all possible is being done on Bradley's behalf.

[Joel Redman]

01:27 PM on 06/02/2011

He's subject to the UCMJ, not general US Law.

[PWM]

01:47 PM on 06/02/2011

Still innocent until proven guilty and the state will have a devil of a time trying to prove an intent to commit treason.

[Eric4969]

12:15 PM on 06/02/2011

YEt Another Reason I Nor My Kids will EVER Join in any Military. Until OUr Corupt System is Fixed To Support Hard Work and Good People. I Do Not Believe in Either War we are in, At least Obama is smarter than the Right when it comes to wars. He Handled Lybia well NO AMERICAN BOOTS ON THE GROUND OVER THERE un like the Repubs and IRAQ And yet no one is in Jail for all those LIES about WMD's And this Poor Kid is in JAIL. This Country Is SAD Today, One More Thing RELIGION IS MAN MADE FOLKS GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!

[chadizzy]

01:56 PM on 06/02/2011

Dont be fooled there are boots on the ground. Who do you think are spot and marking the sites to be bombed? There is nothing corrupt about someone giving out classified information. This poor kid wah wah wah he broke the law and is being held responsible for what he did. You say no WMDs do you not remember the mustard gas on the kurds?

[GuyCybershy]

07:59 PM on 06/02/2011

When Saddam used gas on the Kurds he was one of our best allies in the Middle East. No one cared about the Kurds at that time, it only became an issue later when it became convenent for American propaganda purposes, to justify our aggression against Iraq.

[adamstj5001]

02:21 PM on 06/02/2011

and just how many civialian deaths from bombings are being claimed in Libya.

[ron ray]

11:55 AM on 06/02/2011

Of course he shouldn't be mistreated, but if found guilty in his military trial -- hearing later this month -- of leaking classified information, he should be punished. soldiers don't get to decide what should and shouldn't be classified.

[PWM]

01:50 PM on 06/02/2011

By that argument the Numenburg trials would have never taken place. A service person has a responsibilty not to participate in coverups and the information that has been released so far shows coverups.

Executive Order 13526
In no case shall information be classified ­, continue to be maintained as classified ­, or fail to be declassifi ­ed in order to:
 
(1)   conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error;
(2)   prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency;
(3)   restrain competition ....

[Christine Gallo]

02:48 PM on 06/02/2011

Thank you, a voice of not only reason, but information.

It worries me to read posters who claim info was released that has put "boots on the ground" in danger. My impression all along, is that the info has to do with crimes committed by our troops. Which makes incredible sense, when you look at how long the trial is being delayed.

[sophie M]

11:53 AM on 06/02/2011

a known hacker , Adrian Lamos, is the guy who blew the whistle on Manning.
this whole thing could be a set up and Bradley is the pawn.

[terry63]

01:09 PM on 06/02/2011

Not according to wiki.

[GuyCybershy]

05:41 PM on 06/02/2011

Lamo is a great American, we should name an award after him. It could be awarded annually to America's top snitches.

[Excalibre]

11:36 AM on 06/02/2011

Is that guy wearing a jockstrap?

[terry63]

01:18 PM on 06/02/2011

I thought that it was just a bad diaper.

[LuvsCheerios]

11:35 AM on 06/02/2011

In my opinion the only thing that Bradley Manning should be subjected to is our functioning Judicial System. Something I would want for myself given the same predicament.

[chadizzy]

01:58 PM on 06/02/2011

Thats not what you get in the military. Ever heard of the UCMJ? Thats military law!

[kmeccat]

11:25 AM on 06/02/2011

Has his trial been scheduled yet?
Will he ever even GET a trial?

[Liberals Are Intolerant]

11:00 AM on 06/02/2011

If PFC Manning is let out of prison before his trial, it is likely that he will continue to disseminate classified government info, as he clearly is willing to do. He is held in solitary because if he was let out into general population, he would be killed by other prisoners, since they know he is a traitor.
He deserves a fair trial, according to military regulations. If he is found guilty, which obviously he will, then I think the proper punishment is execution. If this is not treason, then what is??

Disseminating top secret information to our enemies is not "whistle blowing", it is treason. It's the same thing that spies try to do. Whistle blowing is when you tell the government about how your employer is not paying taxes, or not following safety regulations. It is not endangering troops or giving aid to our enemies. Manning will be lucky to get out of this will life in leavenworth or perhaps ADX Florence (the supermax).

[Excalibre]

11:39 AM on 06/02/2011

Well, it's not treason, and certainly not convictable as treason, according to the Constitution. Remember that? I know the GOP thinks personal liberties are a threat to the all-powerful State but the Constitution is still the actual law.

[PWM]

11:39 AM on 06/02/2011

Under US law manning has not committed Treason. Even Julius and Ethel Rosenberg could not be charged with Treason. The crime of treason requires a traitorous intent.

Under Military law, one is not required to participate in a coverup - like hiding the fact some of our soldiers committed homicide in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And it does not end there.
Executive Order 13526
In no case shall informatio n be classified ­, continue to be maintained as classified ­, or fail to be declassified in order to:
 
(1)   conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error;
(2)   prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency;
(3)   restrain competition...

The governent will have to prove the information leaked was truly classified - and that is questionable as what we see is coverups to protect the reputation of the military and our diplomates like Condi and Hillary stealing the DNA of fellow diplomats.

The most that will happen to manning is to be drummed out.

[carljr]

12:32 PM on 06/02/2011

You might want to take a look at EO 13292 (Classification Authority). You're not going to see any mention of PFCs in that EO.

The government doesn't have to prove it's classified, EO 13292 says what's classified is what the government says is classified and it also sets the parameters for declassification. All of the wikileaks materials were properly classified under the EO and all policies flowing from it.

Bradley Manning is a disgrace. He's probably guilty of unauthorized release of classified information at a minimum. Military law requires that an individual follows 'lawful orders' and there's nothing lawful about releasing classified information to the public. There are lawful whistleblowing policies where classified information is concerned and Bradley did not follow those --- the source of his current predicament.

The declassification you raise is a separate issue and it has nothing to do with Bradley Manning's situation.

Furthermore, it's not only Bradley Manning's problem because for all folks with clearances the wikileaks materials remain classified because disclosure of classified information actually doesn't declassify it (take a look at 13292, see anything like that in there)?

Gee, what do you think General Eisenhower would have said about a PFC handing secrets to the press my Eisenhower republican?

[Berettasskeeter]

12:38 PM on 06/02/2011

The government only has to prove that Manning did NOT have the authority to disseminate classified material. Unless the person(s) who classified ALL of the material are not legally authorized to classify ALL of the material, then he will do a lot of time.
Semper fi

[cwaged1002]

10:36 AM on 06/02/2011

Manning has not been tried, let alone been convicted of any crime. Why is he in prison? When one joins the military does one forfeit ones constitutional rights?

[total frizz]

10:55 AM on 06/02/2011

When one takes the solemn oath and joins the military, they then fall under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and yes they do forfeit some of the rights that civilians have. For example, if you leave your place of work without authorization, as a civilian you can be fired. As a military member you are subject to legal action and punishment, up to and including serious jail time.

[PWM]

11:40 AM on 06/02/2011

The oath does not include participating in coverups.

[TexasMom]

12:07 PM on 06/02/2011

But what part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice specifies 9 months of confinement with no court martial and having your clothes taken away?

[Liberals Are Intolerant]

11:06 AM on 06/02/2011

There is no right to bail before a trial, especially if you are a flight risk or a danger to society. Clearly he represents both. He has significant allies abroad and he has shown intent to further disseminate classified materials to our enemies. Also he is a military member with stricter rules than civilians. Put that all together and he gets to stay in prison until his trial.

[LuvsCheerios]

11:32 AM on 06/02/2011

Clearly he represents both.

Clearly? Really? huh.

[PWM]

11:40 AM on 06/02/2011

What allies are those?