Updates

PayPal Backs Down, Reinstates Account for Supporters of Bradley Manning

Apparently reacting to enormous backlash from supporters and criticism from the media, PayPal has reinstated the account of Courage to Resist, an organization which has partnered with the Bradley Manning Support Network to raise funds for the defense of accused WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning. The change in account status came only hours after the nonprofit organization published a press release drawing attention to the matter. Over 10,000 people signed the petition hosted by Firedoglake today urging PayPal to reinstate the charitable account, while many more supporters called PayPal directly to voice their criticisms.

Within hours, PayPal responded — reinstating the account so that Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network can continue their work.

Bradley spirits soar at mention of democratic uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt

February 2, 2011. David House, a friend of Bradley Manning and one of a limited number of visitors, reported that Bradley’s “mood and mind soared when I mentioned the democratic uprisings in Egypt.”

Nadim Kobeissi interviews Kevin Zeese on military’s latest outrage toward Manning

Bradley Manning supporter Nadim Kobeissi interviewed Kevin Zeese today in an emergency installment of his CHOMP.FM internet broadcast. Have a listen here: http://chomp.fm/003/ . Some quick quotes: (4:00) Nadim: Did they have any ethical grounds for doing this? Did they have any legal grounds for doing this, even? Kevin: This is a bizarre action by…

Former Commander of Headquarters Company at Quantico Objects to Treatment of Bradley Manning

As a former regular Marine Corps captain, a Korean War combat veteran, now retired on Veterans Administration disability due to wounds suffered during that conflict, I write you to protest and express concern about the confinement in the Quantico Marine Corps Base brig of US Army Pfc. Bradley Manning.

Dr. King and Bradley Manning Show the Way to a Revolution of Values

“I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone and that there is strength in numbers. Today we were told that we could only protest across the street from the base at Quantico. We chose not to obey that order and instead marched across the street and right through the gates chanting “Free Bradley Manning!” There were a few Marines and police officers stationed at the street and gate to stop us. They held up their hands and told us to stop but we did not hesitate and marched on through.

“Likewise, there is strength in numbers if the peace and social movements join together to speak out against the concentrated corporate power that controls our government and our media. Together we can create the changes we so desperately need. Together we can raise our voices so high that we cannot be ignored.”

MLK Day protests at FBI headquarters and Marine Base Quantico

Following a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day protest at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, yesterday to demonstrate outrage and indignation against police state surveillance, infiltration, and attempts to entrap peace, environmental, animal rights, civil rights and solidarity activists, a convoy of attendees set off for Quantico, Virginia, to protest the isolation and torture of Bradley Manning at Marine Corps Brig Quantico.

Oklahoma City noontime vigil for Bradley Manning

Twenty-five activists came out in the cold to help educate the passers-by about Oklahoma native Bradley Manning. With t-shirts, signs, palm cards and newspapers, the message was “Free Bradley Manning” and “Blowing the whistle on war crimes is not a crime.” Read more at oklahomacitizen.org and look at some pictures from the event:

How Is Bradley Manning Really Being Treated?

David Swanson of WarIsACrime.org catalogues and questions recent developments regarding Bradley Manning’s treatment in confinement, and suggests a course of action:

There are conflicting accounts of exactly how Bradley Manning, the alleged whistleblower on countless U.S. government crimes, has been illegally punished for 8 months so far, pre-trial. There’s no denying that this young man who allegedly sought to make his government’s actions known for the public good and did not seek to profit thereby has been denied a speedy trial. The question is to what extent he has already been punished, and even cruelly and unusually punished, without having been convicted of any crime. But the accounts differ less than it at first appears. And there is one sure way to find out the facts.

Kevin Zeese on The Alyona Show regarding Bradley Manning’s detention and surrounding issues

Kevin Zeese, a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network Steering Committee and Executive Director of Voters for Peace appeared today on RT’s The Alyona Show discussing the case (segment begins at 20m30s):

Bradley Manning and the Rule of Law

A mature American leadership, rather than prosecuting Manning, would encourage an honest debate about U.S. foreign policy. Thomas Jefferson warned that “oppressions are many” and that for the people to govern we should “leave open . . . all the avenues to truth.” Manning has provided an avenue to truth where we can look honestly at our government and dramatically change direction. Enlightened leadership would renounce blackmail, threats and spying of foreign officials, as well as torture and war.