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Activists Stand Up for Bradley Manning - and PJ Crowley
When we heard on Sunday that P.J. Crowley had resigned as spokesman for the State Department after criticizing the Pentagon's treatment of suspected whistleblower Army private Bradley Manning, my CODEPINK colleagues and I knew we had to respond. How outrageous that yet another person gets punished for simply telling the truth--Crowley called Manning's treatment "ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid"--while the war criminals go free. I can think of a lot stronger words to use for the way the Pentagon is holding Manning in solitary confinement for 10 months now, before he has even had a trial or been convicted of anything.
We quickly put out a call for activists to meet us at the State Department at noon and then walk to the White House. About 24 people showed up on short notice, in the middle of a workday. Some donned black and white prison suits, others put on orange Guantanamo jumpsuits, and three brave men--Tighe, Jay and Logan--stripped down to jock straps to symbolize the fact that the prison guards take away Manning's clothing at night, including his underwear. (They justify this because of sarcastic comments Manning had made about using his underwear to commit suicide, but it's really to further intimidate and humiliate him.)
We had a large banner that read: "Crowley was right. Manning's treatment is counterproductive, stupid and ridiculous." It was attached to a mock jail cell with Manning's photos on it. Another banner said "Obama, torturing Bradley Manning is not ok." This referred to President Obama's comments on Friday that he had asked the Pentagon about Manning's confinement and the Pentagon assured him that it was appropriate.
We were met at the State Department by dozens of reporters, including MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, AP and the Washington Post. Our speakers included Ray McGovern, a CIA veteran who has called Manning a hero. Ray, myself and one of the semi-naked guys, Jay Marx, tried to deliver a present to Crowley--a CODEPINK Badge of Courage. But the State Department insisted that Crowley was already gone and no one else could take the letter.
After a brief confrontation with police when we tried to deliver the letter anyway, we began our march. It took us a half hour to reach the White House. The DC denizens were quite shocked to see the motley crew, especially the naked guys, marching down the streets of the capitol chanting "Stop the torture, free Bradley Manning; Stop the forced nudity, free Bradley Manning; Stop the solitary confinement, free Bradley Manning." We also came up with a fun chant that whatever I said, people would respond with Crowley's now famous adjectives: "That's counterproductive, ridiculous and stupid." I'd say "What's Crowley's resignation?" or "What's jailing the truthtellers?" or "What's Obama's response to Manning's torture?" We found, as we marched along, that there are SO MANY things about this issue that are counterproductive, ridiculous and stupid--most of all the wars themselves!
At the White House we were met by another set of cameras and posed for some great shots right in front of the gate. We called on Obama to reread his constitutional law books and give Manning his rights back. We gave a few lessons in civics to visiting students about the need for whistleblowers to speak out against injustice. And we wrapped up promising to meet on Sunday in Quantico--where Manning is being held--to continue our call to "Jail War Criminals, Not Whistleblowers."
For more info regarding Bradley Manning and to sign a petition to support him, go here.
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Show AllI guess there's some PR value in hitching one's protest to Crowley. But Crowley is unworthy of the attention. He didn't condemn Manning's treatment as torture, or as an obscenity, or as inhumane. He used three synonyms for "impractical" or "ineffective."
Crowley is just as bad as the rest of them. He wasn't arguing on the basis of human decency; he was engaging in a disagreement on strategy.
True enough. But at least he let slip out that there is something wrong with Manning's mistreatment, even if that slip concerned the usual reptilian "strategy" problem. Maybe he's incapable of human feeling, but the attention paid to his utterance is useful for our strategy.
Maybe he tailored his argument to his audience at the time he said it. I can see why this would prevent him from applying to arguments based on human decency.
Yes, like any sophistic orator. Well, nobody's a perfect liar.
How about letting up on PJ Crowley a bit, folks? Give credit where credit is due and recognize a man that could not lie about something he felt strongly about. I saw the clip of his response to the relevant question. There was a brief pregnant pause, he clearly saw what was coming but answered honestly anyway. Please acknowledge a certain kind of courage and integrity when it unexpectedly arises. Bradley Manning needs all the help he can get and this was of no small significance.
P.S. Three cheers for the tireless Medea Benjamin!
Tony Vodvarka
Hey Tony, wake us all when your dear functionary comes out against torture, not against "counterproductive" strategies.
Dear Corvo, Thanks for the juvenile sarcasm. No doubt you are of vastly superior honesty and integrity, or at least you seem to be claiming it for yourself. Again, Manning needs all the help he can get and this was of no small significance. Crowley made a great sacrifice for this gesture. If you are incapable of seeing that, waking you up might prove to be difficult.
Torture and solitary confinement are indeed "impractical and ineffective" and whatever other synonyms he used. Would have been better newswise if he had used stronger language with a more moral base, but at least he said something.
And besides that, he was speaking to a small group of people in a relatively private setting. It only got picked up because one of the attendees happened to be a reporter who posted the comment on her blog. It's not like he was giving a press briefing at the White House.. of course, if he was speaking to the Washington "press corps", i.e. media whores, he wouldn't have been asked about Manning's torture in the first place.
BTW, I'm not sure I like this peppy tone of Medea Benjamin's in this report. You came up with some "fun" chants? Wouldn't angry chants be a bit more appropriate?
It is encouraging, since I rarely watch news on the corporate media, to read that these events were covered by news outlets like MSNBC, CNN, the AP and The Washington Post. However Ms. Benjamin should keep in mind that while Crowley did criticize the military's treatment of Manning he also believed that the military was right for putting Manning in jail despite the fact that he has not been convicted much less having been even tried in a court of law for his alleged crimes.
Crowley's resignation (I assume forced) shows how fast those who make any verbal missteps that are made that challenge the Establishment and Powers will be taken down; meanwhile, those supporting the Establishment and Powers are pardoned or excused with simple excuses such as "I made a misstatement".
The media reported Crowley's comments as controversial. The only thing controversial about his comments was that they didn't go far enough to condemn Manning's treatment and those responsible for the treatment.
Crowley was right. Manning's treatment is counterproductive, stupid and ridiculous...he should have gone further and said the US Army's treatment of the whistleblower Manning, who is unconvicted, amounts to torture which they should be held accountable for.
Thank you, Medea and the rest who turned out. Let's keep up the pressure. Despite what we might say about Crowley otherwise, his moment of honesty may well be a key turning point to help Bradley Manning. The fact that the New York Times just released an editorial condemning the abuse of Manning and advising Obama to brush up on the Constitution is a good sign; the outrage is making it into the main stream media:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/opinion/15tue3.html
Ah, the Times panders to its "liberal base." A shame the Gray Lady doesn't do this more than once a month.
Exactly.
The TRUTH endangers those who rationalize or lie.
Remember all those Nazi doctors and scientists and party members (war criminals) that "joined" the side of the Allies after the War.?
Was that suddenly OK because they helped the US cause and were now on "our side" ?
Stand up for Manning yes. For Crowley..no.
But she was the one who came up with the fun chants! And we all know that protesting is not about the actual issues, but about having fun!
Yes and the tiaras are so much fun too!
I also thought it was ever so - ever- when they were at the 40th anniversary of the Israeli occupation and their signs were all in colorful glitter........
Does everybody really think Medea Benjamin is simply channeling Madonna? Somehow I'm not convinced-- always open to other viewpoints, but right now I can't se that this is the case.
I'm allowing for the fact the woman is sincere.
Well, she is a "blonde" having more fun than the rest of us mousy browns with silver streaks. (sarcasm) I have great respect for MB. If you aren't laughing you are crying. It is easy to just pout and frown if you are paying any attention to all the BS that is going down in the world, but no one wants to watch a cry baby. If Medea is "whooping it" up maybe more souls will want to join in. You go girl!
So, what have YOU done?
Exactly.
Who cares if they carry pink banners and what adjective the article uses to describe their chants? They are speaking out. That is what is important.
Well, I've done my share. I just think it sends the wrong political message to appear to be having too much fun at demonstrations that are really about deadly serious issues -- you know, like torture, fascism, war crimes. And I disagree that making protests "fun" will convince other people to join, in fact, I think it turns many people off (myself included). There are plenty of ways to have fun but protesting torture, fascism and war crimes isn't one of them.
Sure, some people, such as yourself, might prefer a more "serious" approach. Others, might prefer Benjamin's "fun" approach. Why not accept that there are multiple ways of doing this, as zea26 said:
"Who cares if they carry pink banners and what adjective the article uses to describe their chants? They are speaking out. That is what is important."
instead of sniping and snipping at each other?
Dearest DC-CPH,
I can't speak for MB but I think there is a difference between her statement that that they came up with a "fun (ironic) chant" and actually having "fun" at the protest.
I agree with you that these issues are dead serious, but even the Vietman war protests were, at times, just a bunch of young kids "hooking up", partying and and having, God Forbid, a good time.
There's a strategy many women have learned the hard way: If you are being raped, don't yell RAPE!!!!! (serious), yell FIRE!!!!!!! Everyone wants to watch a fire (fun).
So is Stephen Collbert. I thank them for all they do.
Agreed.
Most of the time, VP's posts are as much about him as they are about anything else.
yes, i get it every time I make a post......
same
Yes, I'm getting the mysterious code/pink box too.
Ours not to reason why...
yes - I thought it was from Code Pink.
Probably your friendly neighborhood Homeland Security tracing every key you stroke.....
Just because you are not paranoid does not mean they are not watching you.
I'm glad Mr. Crowley's moment of candor was captured by the press, but before we raise Crowley to sainthood, lets remember that he has been a proud and loyal foot soldier for Obomber's escalated drone war and extrajudicial killing of anyone and anywhere the president sees fit.
Exactly. Thank you.
Any illusion about the United States holding moral high ground in this world is laid bare as the cruel lie it is by the institutionalized fascism creeping through America while corporatist Obama ignores the right-wing campaign against truth, justice and the rights of the people, the Supreme Court illogically assigns impossible rights to corporate privilege, and Congress abdicates its responsibility to the electorate in favor of the corrupting influence of corporate money. The US hence stays a LOST SOUL country.
By the way, I'm heading over to Quantico to honor Bradley Manning for what it's worth.
See http://www.worldcantwait.net for more details.
FrIday, March 18
“We Are Not Your Soldiers” Tour in Washington DC Schools
Saturday, March 19
Protest @ The White House, 12:00 pm
stopthesewars.org
Sunday, March 20
Support Brad Manning @ Quantico, VA
Buses from DC
worldcantwait.net
"... for what it's worth." It's worth a lot, MaxPayne. I wish I could be there on Sunday, but I couldn't make it work. But I will be at the White House on Saturday for the protest. I'll be wearing my "Free Bradley Manning" t-shirt, along with thousands of other people, I hope. ;o)
I can't see what's to lose. By the way, I must thank JJS for posting this earlier before I picked up on it.
I thank you for passing it along.
I don't own it, so feel free to post it anywhere you comment.
You can get on the World Can't Wait mailing list and stay up to date on their organizing by visiting their website.
I met up with them protesting the Bush Regime Wars at Camp Democracy DC.
I won't know until th last minute whether I can make it.
Thank you, Medea. You have my respect and appreciation.
Trylon
P.S.
This is my new chant.
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What is Barack Obama?
Counterproductive, ridiculous, and stupid!
Even an editor at the right wing National Review is questioning the treatment of Bradley Manning:
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/print/262195
2PM Sunday at Quantico, it looks like we'll be seeing his prison up close. More info
WhenSun, March 20, 1pm – 2pm
WhereQuantico, Va - in Triangle, VA at intersection of Main Street and Route 1. (map)
DescriptionQuantico, VA - Support Accused Whistleblower Bradley Manning Sunday March 20: Rally at 2pm (in Triangle, VA at intersection of Main Street and Route 1), then march to the gates of Quantico Marine Base, where Bradley is imprisoned.
do not accept any offered "tour" of the place...
I'm not following you. Could you elaborate? Thanks.
Interesting but thanks. I haven't been to those kinds of rallies for a long time. I don't think that there will be any tour offering. My wife and I also want to see what happens when we see heroic "prisoners" at closer range if you know what I mean. I gotta go to this and whatever other rallies I can go for. Nothing beats face to face interaction although I admit that meeting more than 500 miles away would be best accomplished by these wonderful forums on the net.