November, 20 2012, 03:33pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Contact: Nathan Fuller, (516) 578-2628
Protests Nov. 27 to Demand Accountability from Military for Abuse of WikiLeaks Source
WASHINGTON
On Tuesday, November 27, 2012, concerned individuals and organizations will demonstrate in dozens of cities to call attention to the illegal abuse inflicted upon Army PFC Bradley Manning. In violation of military law, Manning was subjected to nine months of brutal pre-trial confinement conditions at Marine Base Quantico, Virginia, from July 29, 2010 until April 20, 2011.
Activists will rally at U.S. embassies abroad, military recruitment centers nationwide, and most prominently at Fort Meade, Maryland, where Manning will be in court for a pre-trial hearing. At Fort Meade's Main Gate (Reece Road and US 175), supporters will gather at 10:00 AM ET, hold a rally at 11:00 AM ET, and march at noon.
November 27 marks the beginning of a six-day "Article 39A" hearing at Fort Meade, wherein Manning's defense lawyer David Coombs will bring evidence and depose witnesses for his motion to dismiss all charges with prejudice based on the pre-trial punishment prohibited under "Article 13" of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Manning's conditions in Quantico included solitary confinement, forced nudity, and not being allowed to engage in any meaningful exercise. His arms and legs were shackled during his 20 minutes outside of his cell each day, during which he wasn't allowed to sit or stand still.
"Emails uncovered in discovery recently revealed that 3-star General George Flynn ordered Bradley's torture," said Jeff Paterson of the Bradley Manning Support Network, referring to the "prevention of injury" treatment used to justify the mistreatment counter to the recommendations Brig mental health staff. "Bradley sought to expose crimes for the good of American democracy, and he's been only abused in return."
Twenty-nine-year military veteran US Army Colonel Ann Wright (ret.) declares:
"The revelation that a Lieutenant General would order the mistreatment of a fellow soldier in violation of the UCMJ leaves me aghast. This general, and those who obeyed his orders to mistreat whistle-blower Bradley Manning while he was held in pre-trial confinement, must be held accountable. If not, the entire military justice system fails all members of the military."
CodePink, Veterans For Peace, and several other organizations endorse the rallies.
Manning's court-martial is scheduled to begin February 4, 2013.
The Chelsea Manning Support Network was a coalition of groups and individuals engaged in supporting the U.S. Army whistleblower.
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