Protesters in 40 cities take part in Bradley Manning ‘International Day of Action’
As a US military judge decides the fate of former army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning, activists in dozens of cities across the world are calling for the Convening Authority on the case to free the whistleblower.
Protests are taking place in dozens of cities throughout the US and the world, in what has been dubbed the “International Day of Action.”
London protesters held banners proclaiming “Free Bradley Manning” in Trafalgar Square, although the number of demonstrators was not large. Protests took place in a number of other international cities, including Brussels and Perth, Australia.
The demonstrations are designed to coincide with the anticipated sentencing phase of Bradley Manning’s trial. The whistleblower could find himself faced with life in prison.
Protests in support of Bradley Manning were also organized in at least 40 German cities, including Hamburg, Munich, and Berlin, with the largest rally taking place in Frankfurt.
Initial protests began on Friday, as the prosecution and defense wrapped up their arguments. Demonstrators blocked the gates of Ft. McNair in Washington D.C., where the office of Jeffrey S. Buchanan – the Convening Authority overseeing the trial – is located. They held banners which read, “Buchanan, the choice is yours” and “truth not treason.”
“It’s time we reclaim the word ‘patriot.’ The kind of patriot we need today is not someone who defends all of our country’s history and actions, it’s someone willing to stand up for our country’s future, taking risks to ensure it’s a just one,” campaign organizer Emma Cape from the Bradley Manning Support Network said in a speech at Ft. McNair.
Veterans who served in Vietnam and Iraq, as well as activists from Yemen and Iraq, also spoke at the event. A representative from the US Peace Memorial Foundation, which awarded Manning their 2013 Peace Prize, was also present.
Twenty-five-year-old Manning faces a potential life sentence for leaking hundreds of military and diplomatic cables and documents to WikiLeaks. He has pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information, which carries a maximum 20 year sentence. He faces life in prison for charges of aiding the enemy, espionage, computer fraud, and federal theft.
The prosecution has called Manning a “glory-seeking traitor,” while his defense team says he is a naïve whistleblower who was horrified by atrocities of the Iraq war. The lawyers added that Manning had no idea that the material he leaked would end up in the hands of al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.
Defense attorney David Coombs said that although Manning was negligent in releasing classified material, he lacked the “evil intent” which must be proven in order to be convicted of aiding the enemy. Coombs also said that giving the material to Wikileaks was no different than giving it to a newspaper.
The military judge who is deciding Manning’s fate, Col. Denise Lind, has ruled that he has been illegally punished and should get up to 112 days off any prison sentence he receives. Lind has said she will give one day’s notice before reconvening the court in August to announce the verdict.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said in a telephone press conference on Friday that if Manning is convicted, it will be “the end of national security journalism in the United States.”
What Assange doesn't know is the true and clear journalism in the US massmedia has been desapeared
loooong time ago and the PRESSTITUTES still work for the few who control the Media.
And this is the way I see it.
Thanks RT News and Stop Motionsolo
The Audacity of the President.
Every time that our 44th President Barack Hussein Obama,has a speech or press conference,surprise me more and more,Our president is too smart or not too smart at all,
and why I state such a affirmation,well...yesterday our reluctant president in another show in front of national television...(Obama appear an average of 6 times a day! on National TV...not bad,even for a movie star)
And let's see what he said yestarday:
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In other words the president after 4 years in the white house He decide to poise to bypass Congress and grant immunity to some 800.000 young Latinos who were brought to the U.S. illegally.
Great Mr President!!!...that was a very noble action from him.But what's is more agraviating is the facts since Obama assumes the Presidency he constanly keep offending the
inteligence of 313,741.00 Millions of Americans with Lies,Half-lies or simply oculting the truh.
Why Obama don't even touch the unemployment topic why he don't talk about the 12.7 millions of American (8.2%) are unemployed and keep raising,he may have the nerves to said "That was a Bush Administration Fault"...well won't surprise me some how.
Or...maybe talk a little bit about the 1.6 millions of americans has to face foreclosures (per year),and loss their homes from the past 5 years !!!! well,that maybe Bush fault too.
Or Perhabs when he will repay US from the moneys that he use to bail out All mayor banks(JP Morgan,Bank of America,etc),Cars manufacturers...or (here is my favorite ...AIG)
And the Gas price,this is not casualty,that the prices drop down after 3 years of constant torture.
And Bankrupcy?...In 2010 1,593.081 milion of Americans file bankrupcy in courts nationwide,just because they can't paid debts.
Why during your presidential term 57,000.00 manufacturing plants was shoutdown across the states,you promise to create more jobs in america...remember that?
Why not take the example of Iceland,why we never hear or seen nothing on TV?
And with all your respect Mr President ,There is NOT times for inmigration BS...I think that WE(the people) deserve a better future and at least,solve one of this
issues...before you left the White House and stop this political BullS.*^*%T !!!!...and please Stop insulting our inteligence.
And this is the way I see it.
Until next time.