Supporters
The prominent individuals and organizations below have endorsed the effort to secure justice for Bradley Manning. If you would like to see your organization listed here, please email support [at] bradleymanning [dot] org. If possible, please include a very brief description of your organization.
Individuals
Daniel Ellsberg, famed Pentagon Papers whistleblower and Senior Fellow of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, supports our mission to ensure a fair trial for Pfc. Bradley Manning. A former marine and IVAW Advisory Board Member, Ellsberg is a Harvard-educated author, lecturer, activist and author of Papers on the War, and Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers.
“Bradley Manning is a hero of mine,” says Ellsberg. He is a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s Advisory Board, and attended the Global Exchange Human Rights Award Ceremony in 2012 to accept an award on Bradley’s behalf.
Professor Noam Chomsky is a linguist, cognitive scientist, philosopher, political activist and prolific author. “It is a privilege to join the campaign to support Bradley Manning for his courage and integrity in serving his country by helping make the government accountable to its citizens, and to inform the world of what its people should know,” Chomsky says.
Naomi Klein is a Canadian author and social activist known for her political analyses and criticism of corporate globalization. She has written No Logo, Fences and Windows and The Shock Doctrine, and produced The Take. She also contributes to The Nation, Harper’s Magazine, and The Guardian. She ranked 11th in an internet poll of the top global intellectuals of 2005, a list of the world’s top 100 public intellectuals compiled by the Prospect magazine in conjunction with Foreign Policy magazine. She has also been an outspoken proponent of the Occupy Movement.
Slim Amamou (Arabic: سليم عمامو) is a Tunisian blogger and the former Secretary of State for Sport and Youth deputy to the Minister for Youth and Sports. He resigned on the week of May 25, 2011 in protest of the transitional government’s block of several websites. A known blogger, he is also a former Pirate Party activist.
He says, “I am Slim Amamou, and Bradley Manning saved my life. With the leaks he provided, he participated in the Tunisian revolution. And if it were not for the Tunisian revolution I would probably be dead or in jail now. At that time, I was in jail and I was saved by the fact that Ben Ali, the president of the bad regime, fled the country.”
Lt. Dan Choi, one of the most active opponents to the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, was kicked out of the army a year ago after coming out on the Rachael Maddow show, despite a petition on his behalf being signed by over 162,000 people.
“I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bradley Manning,” he says.
Watch him speak out for Bradley Manning.
Roseanne Barr, 2012 Green Party Presidential Candidate, first made famous by her role on the television series Roseanne. She says: “I love him [Bradley Manning].”
Jill Stein, Green Party Presidential Candidate. Read why Stein would pardon Bradley Manning here:http://www.jillstein.org/
Medea Benjamin, Code Pink co-founder and Bradley Manning Support Network Advisory Board member. She says: “Democracy needs whistleblowers and peace activists need Bradley Manning. We must honor his courage by turning these leaks into a tsunami of support for him and pressure on our elected officials to end the wars.”
Scott Olsen, member of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Occupy Oakland, became a national spokesperson for the movement after being severely injured by Oakland police during a peaceful protest. He says,
“I served in the USMC for 4.5 years and deployed twice to Iraq. Manning brought the truth home for the world to see. I had access to many of the same files he released, some of the events referenced by the Iraq war logs are events that I personally experienced. A few different choices, and I could easily be in Leavenworth instead of Manning.”
Annie Leonard, sustainability advocate, and creator/narrator of “Story of Stuff.” (Pictured here with her daughter at the Global Exchange Human Rights Awards.) Annie and Bradley were the two award recipients. Annie says, “It’s an honor to receive this award with two other amazing human rights advocates, Daniel Ellsberg and Bradley Manning.”
Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. About Bradley Manning he says, “This is supposed to be a nation of laws. If so, why are we torturing a man who truly believed that he was doing his duty to his country and to his own soul?”
Listen to the song Graham wrote for Bradley, titled “Almost Gone”:
Rick Falkvinge is the founder of the Swedish and first Pirate Party, which has representation in the European parliament and has spawned Pirate Parties in more than 50 other countries.
He says, “It’s not just the right, but the duty of every citizen to call on their government when it is breaking fundamental civil liberties, the constitution and the law. That’s not a right, it’s a duty. If Bradley Manning did what he’s accused of, then, every step of the way, he did the right thing.”
Peter Tatchell is a legendary human rights campaigner, and activist who lives in the UK. he gave us these words:
“Bradley Manning is a true patriot, not a traitor. He reveres the founding ideals of the US – an open, honest government accountable to the people, which pursues its policies by lawful means that respect human rights. At great personal risk, he sought to expose grave crimes that were perpetrated and then hidden by the US government and military. These are the characteristics of a man of conscience, motivated by altruism. Bravo Bradley! “
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and The Nightwatchmen.
Jeff Paterson, Courage to Resist Project Director – In August 1990, Marine artilleryman Corporal Jeff Paterson became the first of many US military personnel to refuse to fight in Iraq. Today, Jeff is the project director of Courage to Resist, an Oakland-based organization dedicated to supporting GI war resisters and conscientious objectors. Courage to Resist hosts the Bradley Manning Defense Fund in collaboration with the Bradley Manning Support Network. Jeff is also a steering committee member of the Bradley Manning Support Network.
Mutulu Olugbala also known by his stage name M-1 is a rapper, activist and author known for his work as one half of the political hip hop duo Dead Prez along with his friend stic.man. Pictured here with Bradley Manning Support Network Steering Committee member Kevin Zeese.
Dr. Margaret Flowers is a Pediatrician and prominent activist for Universal Health Care.
Peter Van Buren is the author of We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People, a book about his work for the Department of State as the leader of two Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in rural Iraq, 2009-2010. Peter has served with the Foreign Service for over 23 years. Peter’s commentary has been featured on TomDispatch, Salon, Huffington Post, The Nation, American Conservative Magazine, Mother Jones, Michael Moore.com, Le Monde, Daily Kos, Middle East Online, Guernica and others.
Andy Bichlbaum of The Yes Men, which are a culture jamming activist duo and network of supporters. Through actions of tactical media, The Yes Men primarily aim to raise awareness about what they consider problematic social issues. To date, the duo has produced two films: The Yes Men (2003) and The Yes Men Fix the World (2009).
Michael Moore is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and and bestselling author. He is the Director and Producer of four of the top nine highest-grossing documentaries of all time. His films include the groundbreaking Roger & Me, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, SiCKO, and Capitalism: A Love Story. He has written seven books including Stupid White Men, Dude, Where’s My Country? He produced and directed the Emmy Award-winning TV show, TV Nation, as well as The Awful Truth. On 20 August 2010, Moore told the Associated Press that he will contribute $5,000 to Bradley Manning’s defense. “He did a courageous thing and he did a patriotic thing,” Moore said. Moore is a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s Advisory Board.
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo is a founder and leader of the No FEAR Coalition and EPA Employees Against Racial Discrimination. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Whistleblower Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to protecting the rights of employee whistleblowers. Good Housekeeping presented her with its Women in Government award in 2003. “To single out this young man, who unlike his superiors has the moral conviction and the requisite courage to call a war crime a war crime—is reprehensible,” Coleman-Adebayo says.
Former US Senator Mike Gravel (D-Alaska, 1969-1981) was instrumental in bringing the Pentagon Papers to public attention in 1971. Gravel says: “Bradley Manning has displayed intellect and courage far beyond his years. He has demonstrated a sensitivity to the needs of our Democracy: informing the American public of the actual goings-on within the military at war. How else will voters influence their representatives? His conduct properly embarrasses our political and military leadership from the president on down. Any punishment for his actions underscores that embarrassment.” He is the author of Citizen Power: A Mandate for Change, A Political Odyssey (with Joe Lauria) and other works.
Scott Horton is the host of Antiwar Radio and keeper of The Stress Blog and was foreign policy adviser to 2004 US Libertarian Party Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik. “Bradley Manning’s (apparent) self-sacrifice in order to deliver to the people of America and the world important truths about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is nothing short of heroic,” Horton says. “Please help the Bradley Manning Support Network, Courage to Resist and their associates in raising the money necessary to defend this brave young man before his upcoming military court martial.”
Ethan McCord is a former U.S. Army Specialist and co-author of An Open Letter of Reconciliation & Responsibility to the Iraqi People. He can be seen in the Collateral Murder video pulling the two injured children from the van to get them medical care, and was subsequently featured in Academy Award nominated documentary “Incident in New Baghdad.” “At that point, I became opposed to the war in Iraq. I support the troops but do not support the war. I commend Bradley Manning, if he did in fact release that video, for shining the light of truth on this war,” McCord says.
Ray McGovern is a retired CIA officer and outspoken political activist on intelligence and war issues. McGovern appears in Speaking Freely, Vol. 3: Ray McGovern on the Corruption of U.S. Intelligence and is a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s Advisory Board.
James Oaksun is national chair of Outright Libertarians, an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other self-identified “queer” (LGBTQ) Libertarian Party activists and supporters. In addition, he is treasurer of the Libertarian National Committee, a member of the LNC’s executive committee and Vice-Chair of the Libertarian Party of Maine. Mr. Oaksun commented, “We are involved in two hot wars, and we learned a long time ago that ‘following orders’ is not a defense for improper actions. I am troubled by the information and the nature of the events Pfc. Manning has revealed, and also think it’s inexcusable to attempt to impugn Pfc. Manning personally. I am pleased to support Pfc. Manning and urge that his case be adjudicated promptly.”
US Army Colonel (ret.) Ann Wright is known as an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war and for having been one of three State Department officials to publicly resign in direct protest of the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. More recently, she was a passenger on the Challenger 1, part of the Gaza flotilla. LTC Wright is co-author of Dissent: Voices of Conscience and a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s Advisory Board.
Christina Tobin, Founder of Free & Equal, a non-partisan, non-profit public policy advocacy group dedicated to election reform and improving ballot access laws in the United States. The organization also engages in activism for causes independent of the current two-party duopoly. “A healthy democracy thrives on transparency. The unjustified secrecy of the past two administrations has undermined peace and freedom, and threatened our historical claim to an open society,” Tobin says.
Joel Tyner, four-time Dutchess County legislator and congressional front runner, has, with his organization the “Real Majority Project of the Hudson Valley”, motivated support for Labor Day rallies, Martin Luther King marches, and interfaith vigils for economic justice. They stand strongly in support Bradley Manning and continue to advocate on his behalf.
Ron Paul is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Texas’s 14th congressional district, which includes Galveston, since 1997, and a three-time candidate for President of the United States, as a Libertarian in 1988 and as a Republican in 2008 and currently 2012. He is an outspoken critic of American foreign and monetary policies, including the Military–industrial complex and the Federal Reserve, and is known for his libertarian-leaning views, often differing from his own party on certain issues. Ron Paul has said he wants protection for Bradley Manning and other whistle-blowers.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 10th congressional district, serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. Congressman Kucinich helped raise awareness about Bradley’s mistreatment at the Quantico military prison by supporting the investigation of the UN Chief Rapporteur on Torture.
Organizations
Activist San Diego is a social justice organization that promotes and facilitates the development of an active, inter-related, progressive community in San Diego through networking, culture and electronic technology.
Code Pink: Women for Peace is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities. Code Pink rejects foreign policies based on domination and aggression, and instead calls for policies based on diplomacy, compassion and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, Code Pink women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.
Courage to Resist is dedicated to supporting public GI resisters. The organization also strives to provide political, emotional, and material support to all military objectors critical of our government’s current policies of empire. A grassroots project, Courage to Resist has a record of successfully working with many resisters and their families in raising funds for civilian legal representation and public education campaigns.
“If Pfc. Bradley Manning did share the WikiLeaks video as charged, he was likely compelled to do so to expose a possible war crime. Courage to Resist believes that Pfc. Manning is unjustly imprisoned and awaiting court martial regardless of his factual guilt or innocence. We’re dedicated to helping provide him civilian legal representation of his choosing, in part by hosting the Bradley Manning defense fund,” said Jeff Paterson, Project Director.
In the Minefield is a blog run by and featuring US military veterans of the Vietnam era, and provides analysis and opinion about current events and through the lens of those who served in one of the United States most bloody and controversial conflicts. They are supporters of Bradley Manning for exposing the truth about the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and write regularly about him on their blog.
Iraq Veterans Against the War was founded by Iraq war veterans in 2004. IVAW is a voice for the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent. IVAW is leading the movement of veterans and GIs working to bring the troops home now. Members educate the public about the realities of the Iraq war by speaking in communities and to the media about their experiences. Members also dialogue with youth in classrooms about the realities of military service. IVAW supports all those resisting the war, including Conscientious Objectors and others facing military prosecution for their refusal to fight. IVAW Executive Director José Vasquez is a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s Advisory Board.
The Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers Guild is a network of attorneys, law students, and legal workers concerned with the rights of servicemembers and veterans. The Task Force assists soldiers and vets who oppose the war in Afghanistan and the continuing occupation of Iraq. It provides legal support for military resisters, conscientious objectors and dissidents, and for the victims of oppressive military practices and policies. In addition, the Task Force offers information and advocacy for students and families protesting the militarization of their schools, communities and culture. Its parent organization, the Guild, was founded in 1937 to represent progressive political movements, using the law to protect human rights above property interests and to attain social justice.
Movement for a Democratic Society is a global association of people on the left. It seeks to create a sustained community of educational and political concern and actions: one bringing together liberals and radicals, activists and scholars, students, faculty and workers in all trades. It maintains a vision of a democratic society, where at all levels the people have control of the decisions which affect them and the resources on which they are dependent. It seeks a relevance through the continual focus on realities and on the programs necessary to effect change at the most basic levels of economic, political, and social organization. It feels the urgency to put forth a radical, democratic program counter-posed to authoritarian movements.
Movement for a Democratic Society (MDS) supports Bradley Manning!
The No FEAR Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan oversight organization committed to the education and defense of victims of employer discrimination through the 2002 No FEAR Act. The law advances good governance through congressional oversight, agency accountability, financial penalties and disciplinary consequences for illegal behavior in the federal government.
The Oklahoma Center for Conscience and Peace Research was founded in 2004 and is supported by several Oklahoma-based religious and activist communities. OCC’s work is conducted by people from various backgrounds and beliefs who are united by a belief in the power of conscience as the way to end war and warmaking and in establishing nonviolence and cooperation as the cornerstone of a just society. OCC focuses its efforts on GI Rights, counter-recruitment education and conscience formation.
QueerToday, a network of queer social justice activists.
Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago exists to promote representation of the bisexual community in Chicago.
New York Solidarity Action for Bradley Manning organizes actions in solidarity with political prisoner and freedom fighter Bradley Manning. The group keeps in touch via a Google group.
The San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME) is an open, democratically-run organization committed to fighting for LGBT rights including marriage equality.
The San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice formed in Septemberof 2001 to actively promote peace and oppose military violence.We are composed of people from many progressive organizations,faiths, and political points of view. Since September 11, 2001 the SDCPJ has sponsored teach-ins, vigils,and rallies aimed at opposing the repeal of civil and human rights,and ending the use of military force by the United States. The coalition continues to speak to these issues as well as otherconcerns affecting social justice in the San Diego region.
The San Diego Military Counseling Project, a member group of the G.I. Rights Hotline, is an organization of vets and other people working with active duty folks and their families who are having problems within the military. SDMCP provides information, experience and support that enables servicemembers to know what civil rights they still have, even while in the military. The group can also help people apply for discharges based on conscientious objection, hardship and dependency or other reasons.
The San Francisco Labor Council is the San Francisco body of the AFL-CIO. They are a nonprofit membership organization and serve as headquarters to the labor community in San Francisco. The SFLC represents more than 100,000 union members and their families who belong to over 150 affiliate unions. In a resolution announced on August 10, 2010, the S.F. Labor council formally opposed the prosecution of Bradley Manning. They sent letters to President Obama, California Congressional representatives and Senators Feinstein and Boxer calling for the charges to be dropped and Manning to be released. They also called on other union locals, labor councils and state and national federations to send letters to President Obama and Congressional representatives calling for the release of Bradley Manning.
Socialist Alternative works in coalition with others to fight for social, economic and environmental justice, while aiming to get at the root cause of the world’s problems – the capitalist system. They salute Bradley Manning for the courageous stand he has taken!
The Tom Hayden Peace and Justice Resource Center is a project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE), a registered public charity. Founded by writer and activist Tom Hayden, the Peace and Justice Resource Center is focused on public education about the need for the US to exit the wars in the Middle East.
United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 1400 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to protest the immoral and disastrous Iraq War and oppose our government’s policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.
The UXO Show unites service-members, veterans, and musicians to amplify what the troops have been saying the entire time: “Bring Us Home. End the Wars. And Take Care of Our Veterans!” Learn more by visiting www.uxotour.com.
Veterans for Peace is a nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization of veterans throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1985, Veterans for Peace is a United Nations-recognized Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to increasing public awareness about the costs of war, the consequences of militarism and the need for effective, peaceful alternatives.
Voters for Peace has a mission to mobilize anti-war voters into a visible and effective political force that cannot be ignored. We urge voters to sign the Voters’ Pledge, stating says they will only vote for and support candidates who oppose wars of aggression. The pledge has been signed by more than 170,000 voters. Voters for Peace provides voters with the information and tools they need to be effective peace advocates; this includes educating their friends and family on war and occupation, writing letters to the media, holding congressional and presidential candidates accountable and participating in anti-war events. Voters for Peace co-founder and Executive Director Kevin Zeese is a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s advisory board.
The War Resisters League has been resisting war at home and war abroad since 1923. Today, as one of the leading radical voices in the antiwar movement, we challenge military recruitment and war profiteering, organize nonviolent direct action, and offer on-the-ground tools to end the current war and all wars. The War Resisters League affirms that war is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war, including racism, sexism and all forms of human exploitation. War Resisters League believes that Bradley Manning should be free because speaking the truth about war is not a crime. We honor Bradley for his courageous act of resistance to the U.S. occupation of West and South Asia.
The Washington Peace Center is an anti-racist, grassroots, multi-issue organization working for peace, justice, and non-violent social change in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area since 1963. We provide education, resources and action for peace and justice. We are proud to support Bradley Manning and demand he be immediately released from custody and that all charges against him be dropped. We must encourage the next GI to help expose war crimes by releasing the truth.
The Whatcom Peace & Justice Center promotes lasting peace, social justice, and a culture of nonviolence at home and worldwide. We call on our government and society to disavow policies of violence, and to seek a culture of peace and healing for the Earth and all people. “The peace movement in Bellingham, WA, stands in solidarity with Bradley Manning, a hero who affirms that truth will be revealed when courageous people stand up against forces of injustice” says Marie Marchand, Executive Director.
The World Can’t Wait organizes people living in the United States to repudiate and stop the fascist direction initiated by the Bush Regime, including: the murderous, unjust and illegitimate occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan; the global “war of terror” of torture, rendition and spying; and the culture of bigotry, intolerance and greed.
I just contributed $25 after I heard Michael Moore had given $5000. Congratulations for setting a good example, Michael!
A few weeks ago I sent Bradley a letter of support c/o his first place of internment but it was returned without having been opened. I would like to forward it to him, but according to the website it appears that Bradley is not receiving mail sent to the address given.
Inmate: Bradley Manning
3247 Elrod Avenue
Quantico, VA 22134
USA
Does anyone know the name/address of his military advocate so I can send my letter of support to Bradley through his attorney?
Thank you.
@Peter: As far as I know, the JAG attorneys won’t do that. We’re hoping to establish a bulk forwarding service to him, after clearing up a few things.
Someone confined in a military brig can receive mail from anyone they have personally agreed to accept mail from. All persons to whom this applies are placed on a list prepared by the person incarcerated. Any mail not on such a list will be returned until it reaches a point at which there is so much mail that the prison will not pay for the time it takes to return it. If this happens, it is possible that the prison can coordinate with the person incarcerated to have all letters sent to them forwarded to an address of the inmate’s choosing. This would be done at the inmate’s expense – and again, it would be the decision of the inmate if such an action were to occur.
This is not an attempt by prison officials or military to keep information from an inmate. This is designed as a way to protect the privacy of the inmate, and to ensure all inmates are treated fairly.
I realize that it is frustrating – It took almost two months before any sort of arrangement was able to be made in the handling of mail sent to Kevin in the Ft. Lewis Brig. Even his military defense attorney could not have access until Kevin had completed the paperwork necessary, and the prison had performed background checks on the attorney with Kevin’s permission. This was a Major in the US Army — and he still had to go through protocol.
Monica said: “This is not an attempt by prison officials or military to keep information from an inmate. This is designed as a way to protect the privacy of the inmate, and to ensure all inmates are treated fairly.
I realize that it is frustrating – It took almost two months before any sort of arrangement was able to be made in the handling of mail sent to Kevin in the Ft. Lewis Brig. Even his military defense attorney could not have access until Kevin had completed the paperwork necessary, and the prison had performed background checks on the attorney with Kevin’s permission. This was a Major in the US Army — and he still had to go through protocol.”
My response: No, I completely disagree. The mail system in military prisons is patently unfair and unconstitutional. The military claims it is to protect the privacy of the inmate, but that is B.S. That is a tangential issue at best.
The fact that it took 2 months for mail arrangements to made for Kevin is a criminal act on the behalf of the Army. That is why we had to go bat on the Travis Bishop case to fight with them on the mail issue (also at Fort Lewis). We still weren’t able to get things opened up as they should be, but we were able to get some concessions from them.
There are a lot of crazy people out there. While Bradley Manning may have many, many supporters who want to write to him, he also has that many more who want to see him punished severely for what he is accused of doing.
We had a public post office box set up to receive the mail that Ft. Lewis forwarded — 20,000 plus letters. There were many angry, hostile letters that I was glad Kevin never saw during his confinement. I could read him the letters of support, but his morale needed to remain positive and the letters of hate could be tossed without affecting him.
For every side – there is another side.
In the end, it is up to the inmate what mail they receive, and the protections are in place so that the inmate is able to receive mail from those he knows and trusts. They, in turn, will be able to share as many letters of support as they can with the inmate – and discard those that could do serious damage to someone whose psyche is already darkly affected by their situation.
Monica,
I’m surprised that this was Kevin’s experience, because most of the other imprisoned resisters I have spoken to also received hundreds, even thousands of letters. Of those, the overwhelming majority were positive.
I certainly understand the wisdom of holding back those letters that the inmate doesn’t want to receive (I have told clients when they received such letters to put the writer on their “do not accept” list), but in most cases the problem is the opposite.
And I certainly do NOT trust the Army to make that judgment at all. We had issues with Travis Bishop, of even letters from his own mother not getting through. There were also issues with funds not arriving in a timely manner that were sent by mail. I don’t trust Army corrections system mail at all.
sorry for a lack of clarity, when I said “the opposite,” I meant that most prisoners are not getting mail that they want to receive.
I didn’t say how many hostile letters were received.
Even one hostile letter is enough to adversely affect the psyche of a soldier who is faced with the severe consequences someone like Bradley Manning faces.
I strongly urge people to remember this in Bradley Manning’s situation. I have read that he has requested that mail not be sent to Quantico. It would be wrong to simply assume this is due to pressure from the military. The severity of the consequences pending is something he alone will have to deal with – and he should have the right to assure that his attorneys and others he trusts are able to provide him with the best guidance possible in the way forward, separate from any influence of “support” that may not offer the best consideration of outcome in this situation.
I believe letters of support should be delivered in any way possible after the outcome of the case has been determined. Prior to that – it is important that people remember it is Bradley Manning’s life in the balance.
I am reasonably sure his legal defense team will be competent in the ways of publicity when it comes to what Bradley Manning and his case require.
I am well aware of the levels of emotion this roller coaster ride can inspire for the soldier. It is important that people and organizations not forget the soldier comes before the possibility of furthering an agenda at the expense of the soldier’s personal well being.
Letters of support can be just as effective if sent to an external source who can then bring them to the soldier’s attention, and afford the greatest opportunity for a balanced perspective when most needed.
I also got a returned letter of support to Bradley Manning today (9/2/10) in my mail. Please let me know where I can send it to him. It’s just a letter of encouragement, which we were asked to do by an email I received.
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The best way to support Bradley Manning and any other soldiers who take a risk of speaking out against war, military protocol, corruption… is not to stand in the streets shouting to free them when imprisoned.
The best way to support those who speak out against the system is to work to change the laws that allow their imprisonment, and to help educate those who serve to know their rights while serving.
By empowering members of the military through an understanding of their rights, change within the military is possible.
Many “resisters” have gone to prison for speaking truth from within the military – but nothing will change until the laws that govern military justice change.
Bradley Manning is in prison because the laws exist that allow him to be imprisoned, just as many other resisters have been imprisoned.
Work to change the laws so that soldiers are better able to serve by their conscience without fear of retribution.
My article on the San Diego event Sunday:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/sep/20/activists-demand-release-army-pfc-bradley-manning/
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We need to learn to question laws, government and to act to change laws to protect heroes. Who said laws that we have are right laws?”
Is it wrong to break law if you are trying to protect innocent children? Is it really wrong to give out military videos if you are trying to protect those who cannot protect them selves?
Bradley Manning, you may be thought of as of a criminal now, but the truth will prevail and someday you will be thought of what you really are, a HERO WHO RISKED HIS OWN FREEDOM TO HELP PROTECT LIVES OF THOSE WHO COULDN’T PROTECT THEMSELVES!
I am bad at writing, so the above lines basically summarize what I wanted to say for those who don’t want to read the whole stuff bellow.
Unfortunately, laws do not consider “reason”. Unless some miracles happens (presidential pardon, or some other miracle) Bradley will most likely be convicted. If law allowed for “reason”, such as it would be lawfull to break law and distribute classified information in order to help prevent killings of civilians then obviously he would be found innocent or even not charged or imprisoned. But as of now, the sad truth is that this hero may be found guilty, I would say he will most likely be found guilty. Maybe some day laws will be changed so heroes will be protected in cases like this since they are acting in order to save innocent lifes. But as of now, even though many of us feel that he is a hero, many others will say that he broke military laws and released classified information, they’ll say that he did something bad because he broke law. I was borned and raised in a communist country. Many people fought against the communist government. Many of them were imprisoned, tortured. My uncle (R.I.P.) was imprisoned and tortured just for the fact that he was in my home country’s underground army during World War II, fighting to free my home country from Germans. After World War II, Russian tyrany was ruling my country and the underground army members were thought of as enemies of the country. They were imprisoned, tortured, often sentected to death. Many civilians thought of them as of criminals because the law said that they were fighting against my home country. After the fall of communism, these soldiers became heroes. There are no more laws saying that they were the bad guys. This is the change that is needed right here, right now. Laws need to be changed so if someone acts to prevent killings of innocent, they will not be prosecuted or imprisoned. This hero here did not sell any military information that would endanger the U.S. army or the American nation. He did not sell or give out plans on how to build nuclear weapons to terrorists. The laws that the army is using against him were raised to protect the army and the American nation. He did not do anything to put the army or the nation in danger. Unfortunately, someone forgot to put some additional clauses in law, so to protect people who give out non safety related army information that would help save civilians, to not imprison or trial those people. It seems that the people in charge in the army are simply having revange on this hero, just because they could find a paragraph that would put him in prison. At first when I watched they video of those civilians being killed I thought “oh well, it’s war, it’s not like they meant it” (even thought they laugh at the dead and take pride of “good shooting”). But this made me think, what if we had a war here in United States, what if lets say we had a civil war and army happened to sometimes kill civilians. What if it was my children? Or my neighbours? The thought is very chilling….. even though I don’t have children. Someone may say “well, if you’re not a terrorist you got nothing to worry about”. My uncle was not a terrorist either when he jump out of a window to commit a suiciede while being tortured by the communist. He was thought to be, be the government back then, but not by the current government. Many will say that this hero did something wrong, he broke the law, but……. was he really wrong to do that when he tried to save innocent?
Dear Manning, let your foes to know that “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln
And for the most zealous one, direct them to Luke, 12,2
You are a patriot. Unfortunately for you, and for us, true patriotism is seen a an impediment to corporate power. I respect you.
Dear All,
I have just read about the plight of Bradley Manning in the Flemish newspaper DE MORGEN in Belgium, and am shocked at the conditions he is kept in (as I am shocked also for the reason of his arrest). I guess he is not allowed to receive email? If so, I would be glad to correspond with him.
I have searched your website and responded to several pages, but what seems to be worrying to me is that about 4 or 5 of my emails came back as ‘undeliverable’. Are we being sabotaged already??
All good wishes with your fight, which I am prepared to join – have donated 100 $.
Professor Dr. Willie van Peer
Belgium
free bradley manning
italy
justice for bradley manning.
stop support war in iraq, afghasnistan, anywhere else.
educate ourselves.
Bradley Manning you really are, a HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IN THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE
Freedom for Bradley Manning!!!!!!
Stop War in the World!
http://www.arbeiterfotografie.com/galerie/reportage/index-2002-09-28-london-stop-the-war-5.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eucYe9O82JM&feature=player_embedded#at=22
Bradley, you are a champion.
When you knew that soldiers were torturing people, shooting unarmed civilians etc, you realised your conscience would not allow you to remain silent. You have bravely made a stand for freedom of information and for human rights and have risked your own freedom in doing so. It is indeed courageous and you are not alone. Hopefully your supporters, who are growing in number, will give you comfort and will hound the powers that be to work towards your freedom. A full transparent sharing of information is also important for our historical records. The record needs to be as complete as possible to prevent the historical revisionists from manipulating the truth to further their own agendas.
Coming from a legal background (Australia) I have to admit that I find Bradley being kept in solitary and tried behind closed doors (military proceedings), disturbing. I think the public should demand that he have a fair trial and a public trial. I am probably showing an idealistic faith in the legal system here but if Bradley Manning is tried in public then the government has to produce evidence that what he did was illegal and convince a jury that what he did was not for the good of the public.
I admit that I am not familiar with American legal proceedings relating to espionage but surely the credibility of the legal system is at stake here too. As an American citizen, as well as a military man, is Bradley Manning entitled to go beyond whatever justice the military gives him and access the wider American legal system under the American Constitution?
I think Bradley deserves a fair trial and I hope enough people demand a fair trial that the government takes notice.
Willie van Peer,
Good to see that you in Belgium are aware of and watching this dreadful miscarriage of justice in America. The US military seems to think that it has the right to drive accused persons to insanity through the terms of their imprisonment. This is wrong! We need to be condemned internationally and in loud voices, both to save Bradley and to stop all unethical treatment of a whistle blowers.
I am so upset about the way Bradley Manning is being treated that I can barely put “pen” to paper. He is being treated in a degrading and inhumane manner. I am sorry that Bradley is being bullied by people who are connected to a justice system that is truly unjust.
Bradley,
You have not locked someone up without trial for 23 hours out of 24, stripped them, interrogated them, chained their ankles together and in doing all this dehumanised them. You are a prisoner of conscience and it is your conscience that will set you free.
You are not the criminal. The hypocrisy of people who treat you in such a manner is beyond belief.
If you can’t beat them, arrange to have them beaten. ~ George Carlin
That man knew exactly what was going on and was only able to speak the truth under the guise of comedy.
Bradley Manning is a true hero, not only of America but of the world.
May he find justice. Indeed, may we all find it.
Free Bradley Manning, prisoner of conscience!!
“Bradley Manning” INJUSTICE CAN’T BE TOLERATED !
Bradley Manning is The HERO OF DECADE for his step of brave chest for TRUTH.
Getup (an Australian human rights organisation) is joining Amnesty International Australia and the Sydney Peace Foundation to present the “Wikileaks and Freedom” public forum on Wednesday 16th March. I will be attending the meeting in support of this as well as to hopefully drum up support for a peaceful protest that I will be organising about Bradley Manning’s detention. I have already communicated with Ms Reitman from the Bradley Manning Support Network in regard to this matter.
I would like to arm myself with brief letters of support for this protest from the United States from Daniel Ellsberg, Prof. Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore that I will read out at the Forum. I know this is incredibly short notice, but I was only informed about the forum today.
I have been unable to access the blog on Daniel Ellsberg’s website and would appreciate it if someone could do this on my behalf to let Daniel know. I would also appreciate it if the word could be sent to Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore as well. I will also try their websites. All these people need to send their brief letters to [email protected] so she can send them onto me.
For evil to triumph it takes good men and women to remain silent.
Well done everybody for having the courage of your convictions and for speaking out against the ill-treatment of Bradley.
How come there are no recent posts and why has this page kind of disappeared from the site. You used to be able to go directly to this blog via a link?
Please post a better link to this section of your website. Thanks!
I’ve written an essay to submit to my local paper about the ACLU and the Bill of Rights and which Amendments do and don’t apply to Bradley Mannings case. Once the Florida ACLU vets it, I’ll publish it here.
Is it still possible to write a letter to Bradley? I can’t seem to find the address anymore.
@iris, you gotta go to Bradleys attorneys website, and fish around and get the e-addy to contact his family to get approval to write to him. You gotta be on Bradleys approved mailing list. There is a previous post that this is a good idea to keep the haters away. I send a postcard a week so there’s no ‘contraband’ and Bradley can ‘see’ things in ‘color’. I can’t tell if his television access is B&W or color and he doesn’t get to go outside…