By Jeff Paterson, Project Director of Courage to Resist. July 29, 2010

Answers to questions regarding the Bradley Manning defense fund, including:
Is WikiLeaks providing a legal team for Manning? Who are his civilian defense lawyers?
Should I donate to Manning’s defense at bradleymanning.org, or at wikileaks.org?
How much will the defense fund need to raise?
Does Manning know the Bradley Manning Support Network is raising money on his behalf?
How can I donate without using the Internet?
What is Courage to Resist?
What experience does Courage to Resist have in doing something like this?
Why does Courage to Resist support Manning?
How did you get involved?

Is WikiLeaks providing a legal team for Manning? Who are his civilian defense lawyers?

Quick answer: Manning has not yet chosen civilian legal counsel.

Lawyers associated with WikiLeaks approached the US Army in June with the intent of assisting Pfc. Bradley Manning.

The Army has kept Manning in isolation since his arrest on May 29. He has been in pre-trial confinement in Kuwait during this time. This has allowed the Army to intentionally limit Manning’s ability to understand all of the legal defense options available to him.

His appointed military defense JAG (Judge Advocate General) representatives seem to have steered him towards “not making this case a big deal”, and possibly forgoing civilian representation altogether. Besides the military defense JAGs, who are stationed hundreds of miles away from the detention facility, his only other (limited) communications are with a relative.

Only within the last few days have I become somewhat confident that Manning is receiving information regarding the legal representation options available to him. Since we have only recently been able to provide Manning with “really good options”, I’m taking it as a good sign that Manning has not selected his civilian legal defense.

I don’t have any information regarding the status or possible future role of the initial WikiLeaks associated lawyers in Manning’s defense.

Should I donate to Manning’s defense at bradleymanning.org, or at wikileaks.org?

Quick answer: bradleymanning.org (donation page direct link)

Last month WikiLeaks announced that donations towards Manning’s defense could be made via the WikiLeaks website. Since then WikiLeaks has expressed appreciation to the Bradley Manning Support Network for the formation of this grassroots effort dedicated to Manning’s defense, as WikiLeaks has been busy carrying out its primary mission.

Mr. Assange of WikiLeaks has pledged a “significant amount” towards Manning’s legal expenses. I do not know how much WikiLeaks has collected for Manning’s defense; however, it is my assumption that WikiLeaks’ contribution will be significantly more than the donations they received.

I expect WikiLeaks will transfer funds directly to Manning’s eventually selected defense counsel. Transferring those funds to the Bradley Manning defense fund hosted by Courage to Resist would incur unnecessary banking and fiscal fees.

How much will the defense fund need to raise?

Quick answer: At least $50k.

Since Manning has not yet selected civilian legal representation, the final legal expenses are still complete conjecture. Based on my experience, the only estimate even remotely possible is $100k to $200k. Aside from WikiLeaks’ contribution, I’m certain that this fund will have to raise at least $50k, and probably a bit more.

Key unknowns are: What will be the rate of Manning’s selected representation? What type of travel will be needed? How many expert witnesses will testify, and will they do so in person? Will character witnesses testify? Where will the court martial eventually be held? Will motions be filed in federal court? Not to mention appeals.

All of that assumes that Manning will opt for a vigorous defense at court martial. How much a defense can mount is always in some way related to the financial resources available.

Does Manning know the Bradley Manning Support Network is raising money on his behalf?

Quick answer: Yes.

Based on brief messages via his military JAGs and a relative, I’m confident that Manning is aware that fundraising efforts are being undertaken on his behalf and that he welcomes this support. He also understands this is an important aspect of providing him with a range of legal defense options.

How can I donate without using the Internet?

To donate by check or money order, please make payable to “Courage to Resist” and mail to Courage to Resist, 484 Lake Park Ave #41, Oakland CA 94610. Make sure to note “Bradley Manning Defense” on the memo line.

We can also provide printed remittance envelopes pre-marked for use in fund raising on behalf of the Bradley Manning defense fund. For example, these would be appropriate for passing out at social events.

What is Courage to Resist?

Courage to Resist is an organizing collective comprised of about two dozen concerned community members and military veterans dedicated to supporting military war objectors. We’re a program of International Humanities Center, a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. As an organization, we’ve been doing this kind of work since 2004. Most of our collective members are located on the west coast, but we work on behalf of US military objectors across the US and around the world.

We are not affiliated with any political party or organization. However, we count Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, National Lawyers Guild’s Military Law Task Force, and War Resister League among our allies.

What experience does Courage to Resist have in doing something like this?

Courage to Resist is hosting the defense fund in collaboration with the Bradley Manning Support Network. The primary purpose of this effort is to educate the American public regarding the issues involved in Manning’s defense, and legal expenses are a critical aspect of doing so.

In addition to the hundreds of individuals Courage to Resist has assisted without fanfare, we have provided public political support and hosted similar defense funds for: Lt. Ehren Watada, Spc. Agustin Aguayo, Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, Sgt. Travis Bishop, Spc. Dustin Stevens, Spc. Marc Hall, Spc. Robin Long, Spc. Victor Agosto, Spc. Tony Anderson, Spc. Ryan Jackson, and Spc. Kyle Snyder, to name a few (each should turn up plenty of hits via Google, YouTube, etc.).

Like those campaigns, we’ll publicly list a running total of donations received, and an estimated total needed as soon as we have some idea what that need is. We will also provide an overview of how the money was spent.

Although Courage to Resist has worked with a number of returning or captured “deserters” who technically could have faced the death penalty at trial, Manning’s situation is admittedly more serious than previous objectors. However, for the most part, I believe the same considerations and issues apply.

Why does Courage to Resist support Manning?

Courage to Resist’s primary mission is to “support the troops who refuse to fight.” However, we realize that troops who speak out and share the realities of war after witnessing or participating have an important role to play in educating the American people. If Bradley Manning is indeed the “WikiLeaks leaker”, he serves our support in this regard. If he is not the individual who courageously exposed this war crime, then he also needs help.

How did you get involved?

As a Marine Corporal, I refused to deploy with my artillery battery in August 1990 in support of the coming attack on Iraq. Like Manning, I was also held in pre-trial confinement for months prior to a politically charged court martial where I faced years of possible imprisonment. Unlike Manning, I had access to, and communication with, a support community which acted as my lifeline in many different ways. Manning deserves the same political and legal support that I had, and I intend to do what I can to this end.