ONLY TWO MORE MONTHS

With only two more months and two more hearings to go before he gets to the actual full-on trial starting Monday 3rd June, it’s more important than ever to show that Brad has a significant body of public support around the world. (He does, and we know that, but we need USG to know that, and so your presence on these solidarity occasions really matters.) 

So please do this:

COME AND STAND WITH BRAD

COME AND STAND AGAINST WHAT THEY WANT TO DO TO HIM

at: US EMBASSY, GROSVENOR SQUARE, LONDON W1  

on:  FRIDAY 12TH APRIL 5pm

Come and show solidarity with Brad on FRIDAY for the last but one pretrial hearing in this unique and important case…

Come and make your protest visible 

Come and listen to half an hour of the leaked audio of Bradley Manning’s historic whistleblower’s statement, standing there in protest and solidarity as it plays.

As we stand facing the Eagle, we are telling the powers perpetuating this ‘asymmetric warfare’ that we have not forgotten the things that have been revealed to us, the things that they hoped to keep under wraps: we will still out lies.

We are showing our respect and gratitude by standing in solidarity with Brad, the one now in the dock for standing for truth and justice, and reminding the authorities that we oppose their persecution of him.

We are bringing the issues into the public arena by taking a stand in a public place, and raising awareness.

And we are taking time out to be to be mindful of those issues ourselves.

Or do something similar in a place near you…

WELL, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, USG?

On 28th February, Bradley Manning used his partial guilty plea submission to read out in court a statement he had plainly written himself to explain his actions in releasing information to the public through WikiLeaks.

This court martial, though in theory a public trial inasmuch as members of the public are allowed in court, not only has periods which are held in camera (behind closed doors) and thus not witnessed by any member of the public, but also does not have transcripts.

After over a year of protest and legal proceedings against this excessive secrecy, the military, presumably fearful of being ordered to make disclosures they’d much rather not, grudgingly released a few documents a few weeks ago.

To give you an idea of the block headed stupidity of the ‘classification’, these documents have the name of the JUDGE redacted throughout! (It’s Judge Denise Lind, should you not know, although, if you’ve displayed any interest in the case, this is pretty unlikely since it has been mentioned all over everywhere and there are members of the public in court, none of whom have been sworn to secrecy!)

Back to the transcripts, though, or lack of. This means that, if you’re a reporter taking notes you get one shot only at it and you have nothing against which you can later check names, clarify things you didn’t hear properly, or unravel complicated legal technicalities you don’t understand. Which, in turn, effectively could well mean that we, the public, would never really get to hear what is said in the proceedings.

Except that necessity is the mother of invention as they say….

And Alexa O’Brien’s phenomenal talent for transcribing the entire proceedings so far (a stunning project which you can see for your self here and see searchable list of docs here), together with the insightful reports of several other astute reporters committed enough to turn up to every hearing – Nathan Fuller, Kevin Gosztola and Adam Klasfield, and not forgetting the pictorial record set down by Clark Stoeckley, have together meant that, actually, instead of being kept at a distance, we often feel as though we have a bird’s eye view of what is going down in that courtroom.

And when, on 28th Feb, Brad read out the ‘statement of the century’ in court, the forces of true democracy had finally run out of patience with all the anti-transparency and, not a fortnight later, we got a luvverly leaked audio!

And here it is:

A STATEMENT READ INTO THE RECORD OF HISTORY

In this previous post, you will also find a transcript, a short video with some of Brad’s words used in it, and a useful digital verbalisation of the text which is, in some places, easier to hear than the audio above.

And half an hour of the audio will be played at the vigil (in total it’s about an hour and a quarter) for the edification of vigilers, passers-by and embassy occupants alike while supporters stand in protest, commitment and solidarity.

So: Friday 12th April at 5pm. US Embassy. Free Brad! Free Truth! Say it together!

See also Veterans for Peace.

ASIDE but not really O/T: On which subject –Free Truth! – this plus d easily searchable library of US interactions 1973 – 76 is huge and hot off the press. New from WikiLeaks – must see! Do have a look)

THIS COURT HEARING WEDS 10TH – FRI 12TH APRIL

Brad is back in court on Wednesday for the first in two final hearings before trial which are expected to be dealing with matters relating to how evidence is presented during the trial and the vexed issue of ‘classification’ ie how much the prosecution (USG) can get away with keeping behind closed doors.

All the larger ‘motions’ have been dealt with regarding such issues as Brad’s unlawful pretrial punishment at Quantico, the violation of his speedy trial rights, the right to present evidence to demonstrate that the material Bradley leaked has caused no harm, to demonstrate his motivation, to discuss US problem of over-classification, to dismiss some or all charges especially ‘aiding the enemy’ &c….and some concessions have been won, though much has been denied. Nevertheless, the next two hearings may not be without their drama….

We still have unresolved the Navy Seal witness controversy for a start…..

Not content with stage managing a piece of crude propaganda, the prosecution (the govt) want to have their cake and eat it; they want the Bradley v Navy Seal ‘who is a hero?’ story to be ‘in the public eye’ as a public relations exercise, but not exposed to scrutiny.

Even by the Defence.

Who they say mustn’t meet this witness, or even question him pretrial by telephone, as his identity is, yes, you guessed it, ‘classified’ and therefore the defence can’t be allowed to question him.

The witness upon whose evidence they plan to hang the ‘aiding the enemy’ charge and from which they aim to incarcerate Brad for life, that is. WHAT are they like??

Come and defend our hero (description used advisedly, not casually) Bradley Manning; he really has earned your support

The Court date 10th – 12th April is billed as ‘Evidentiary issues for the trial and sentencing hearing‘ and the hearing scheduled for 21st -24th May is listed as ‘How to deal with classified information during trial‘ (either substituting or redacting documents or closing portions of the trial to the press and public). In reality they will probably be thrashing out more or less similar issues, and one will likely be a continuation of the other…

*UPDATE*

BRIEFING FROM ALEXA ON WHERE WE’VE GOT TO, WHAT’S NEXT AND SOME INSIGHTS INTO BRAD HIMSELF…..

FINALLY, *SATURDAY 1ST JUNE*  KEEP IT FREE!

This has to be THE most important date in all Brad supporters calendars. With the trial starting on the following Monday – 3rd June, we have to make this international callout day the biggest show of public support for Bradley yet.

WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS about this and if you want to be involved beforehand in setting this up, please email us – see contact.

CREDIT: Many thanks again to Clark Stoeckley for courtroom illustrations.