The Toronto Rally group in front of the US Consulate

Organizer Charlotte Sheasby-Coleman and 21 other Toronto activists rallied for Bradley Manning on the cold, rainy afternoon of 20 March, 2011. The diverse group consisted of Viet Nam veterans, long-time peace activists, and participants of all ages, some who drove two hours to join the group in front of the United States Consulate on University Avenue.

“A young man named Henry played his guitar as he and his friends sang throughout the afternoon,” Charlotte reported to the Bradley Manning Support Network. The group handed out postcards to passers-by from Courage to Resist, collected signatures for a petition and gathered personal cards for Bradley.

The group was asked to leave the area directly in front of the US Consulate due to “security issues,” which disappointed many members of the group. However, Charlotte felt that getting the message out about Bradley was too important, and convinced the group to move away from that area to another spot across the street. The group was greeted by many enthusiastic waves and honking horns in support throughout their rally.

“My 79-year-old Mom and others helped make new converts of those walking and driving by,” Charlotte said, “and even the three police officers and two RCMP who kept us company through the afternoon were interested in Bradley’s story, helped us cross against six lanes of traffic at one point, and even rolled up some of our signs at the end of the afternoon.”

Our thanks to all who came out in Toronto on behalf of Bradley Manning. For more photos of the Toronto rally, visit Dexter Doggie’s flickr stream.