Truth-tellers speak out for Bradley Manning at a critical fundraising event for the accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower. Updated 10/8/12 with high quality audio of each talk. 

By the Bradley Manning Support Network. October 2, 2012.

“The truth is a scarce resource these days,” David House said to a packed auditorium at Georgetown University Law Center on Sunday, September 30. House spoke alongside some of the most important truth-tellers of our time, in defense of the digital generation’s most prominent (alleged) whistle-blower, PFC Bradley Manning.

Jesselyn Radack, DOJ whistle-blower and a director at the Government Accountability Project, recounted her efforts to bring light to the Bush Administration’s illegality in prosecuting John Walker Lindh. Thomas Drake followed, with a stirring defense of telling the truth, even when it means contradicting the orders of your superiors, saying, “[We should] always, always, always, be questioning authority.” He applauded Bradley’s inspiring and democratic motives, contrary to the military’s claim that he’s somehow “aided the enemy.”

“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism,” Drake said. “And for that I salute Bradley.”

Drake was given a standing ovation for his remarks, from a crowd mixed with longtime antiwar activists, Georgetown Law students, and D.C.-area residents.

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David House, a friend of Bradley’s who’s visited the soldier in prison, then spoke of Bradley’s unique role in bringing the truth to the American citizenry. If Manning did what he’s accused of, he’s provided more source documents and news stories than most newspapers do in years. He spoke of defense lawyer David Coombs’ legal acuity and dwindling resources, asking the crowd to pitch in for Bradley’s legal defense fund.

Emma’s Revolution, an antiwar band advocating social justice, played songs of truth and peace in between each speech.

Then antiwar activist Ann Wright and civil liberties advocate Chris Hedges spoke to the crowd via Skype. Wright, who was in Pakistan to march against drone strikes, implored the crowd to donate to the Support Network at a critical time in the campaign to free Bradley. Hedges, who is suing the Obama Administration for the unconstitutional NDAA, discussed how the security state more generally infringes upon our basic rights, and how Bradley’s case marks another step to remove the rights of citizens to speak out against the wrongs of their government.

Hedges and Wright each donated copies of their books – signed, first editions – to be given as gifts to donors that evening. Nearly all attendees contributed. Pacifica Radio broadcasted the event live, and those listening called in donations to our office in Oakland, California. A generous, anonymous donor announced that he or she would match donations raised at the event–in addition to the $50,000 matching challenge announced last week by the Brightwater Fund.

This event raised $6,088 for Bradley Manning’s Defense Fund! That includes funds given in-person, called-in to our Oakland office, and made online during the event. The Brightwater Fund will be matching that, for an additional $6,088. And if our anonymous donor comes through, that will raise the event total to $18,264.

You can donate to Bradley Manning’s defense fund here.

More RT America’s coverage of the event below: