Assange and coalition of U.S. journalists sue military over transparency in Bradley Manning’s case. Glenn Greenwald, Amy Goodman, and the Nation magazine join the WikiLeaks editor in a lawsuit against the Department of Defense seeking access to basic filings in Manning’s case. This suit seeks recourse in a civilian federal court, following a military appeals court’s rejection of the same lawsuit last month.

The Huffington Post quotes the coalition’s legal defense:

“The federal civilian courts are now our last option,” said Shayana Kadidal, a senior attorney at the non-profit legal group representing the plaintiffs, the Center for Constitutional Rights. “If this lawsuit fails, Manning’s trial will take place under conditions where journalists and the public will be unable as a practical matter to follow what is going on in the courtroom.”

This renewed effort comes just as military judge Col. Denise Lind ruled to close the court during trial for 24 of the government’s witnesses because they’re expected to divulge classified information.

This suit is especially important given the Pentagon’s half-hearted – to put it generously – attempt to make some documents public. In late February, the DOD established a FOIA Reading Room dedicated to publishing legal filings in Manning’s case. But it has only made 85 of the 500+ documents public, hasn’t added any new ones since March 15, and has not made any of the most newsworthy or legally significant rulings available.

Petition for Bradley Manning to get the Nobel Peace Prize nears 50,000 signatures. RootsAction is collecting signatures for those who support Manning receiving the Peace Prize, for which he has been nominated three years in a row. Sign here!

“I’m from Melbourne, Australia. I’m a mum and business owner. I oppose government injustice, brutality and extortion of power. Bradley Manning is a hero and his detention is evidence that the government has a hidden agenda. He needs to be released NOW as his imprisonment is morally wrong and unconstitutional.”

 iam.bradleymanning.org