On September 6th activists took action nationally, organizing a number of demonstrations in front of Obama campaign offices around the country. Read more about these actions here.

Boston -

In Boston about 50 protesters gathered in support of Bradley Manning, rallying against Obama’s failure to uphold his campaign promise to protect whistle-blowers. More then 2000 information flyers were distributed and a number of guest speakers addressed the crowd: Al Johnson – VFP Chapter 9, Pat Scanlon – Coordinator of VFP Chapter 9, David Wise – of VFP Chapter 45, David House – from the Bradley Manning Steering Committee, John Walsh – VFP Chapter 9, Susan McLucas performed David Rovics song for Bradley Manning, Nancy Murray – Director of Education – Mass. ACLU.

Seattle

From 5—7:15 pm  a dozen or so Bradley Manning supporters held signs and banners outside the Obama campaign office in Seattle, while passing out Bradley info cards to people in cars.  The office was closed.  Several of of the protesters stayed longer.  At 7:30 Occupy Seattle marched in with about 50 people.  One of their chants was “Whistle blowing ain’t a crime! Why is Bradley doing time?”  The protest went on till past 8, with a speakout in the parking lot.

Tallahase

More than a dozen Bradley Manning supporters joined the nationwide demonstrations in front of Obama’s Reelection Headquarters. We got positive responses from passing vehicles and pedestrians. The headquarters were closed, but supporters were able to use it as prop to hold signs. Several volunteers came by and most took away literature. Some even expressed an interest in helping Bradley. View more pictures…

Toledo

On September 6th, 2012 approximately 20 supporters of Bradley Manning protested outside the Obama headquarters in Toledo, Ohio.  As stated in other press releases, the purpose of the protest, which occurred along with 32 other protests at Obama campaign offices throughout the country, was to tell President Obama to free Bradley Manning.  In Toledo activists sought to deliver a message to the president that called to attention Obama’s claim that Manning is guilty, the lengthy solitary confinement and torture that Manning suffered as pretrial punishment and to urge President Obama to pardon Manning.

As soon as supporters arrived at 5 p.m. they found the doors to the Obama headquarters locked, both front and back, and they were denied entrance, though there were many volunteers inside. Responses to calls to the Headquarters were ambiguous, stating they open and closed at will with no set hours. When others showed up to enter the building, a couple of us tried to enter, were denied entry and were not allowed to speak. One Obama volunteer promised that she would come outside to hear the protesters requests. That never occurred.  As others have written, it was obvious that the staff had been told not to allow us in.

They were unable to get any media to come to the HQ though they stayed for 90 minutes and picketed the headquarters with our signs, chanting “Free Bradley Manning” and “No Persecution – No Prosecution.”