Sunday, January 16, 2011

Support grows for Bradley Manning; Protests mount over inhumane conditions of confinement

Hello,

proclus@gnu-darwin.org has forwarded this e-mail newsletter to you:

manning, hanksSupport grows for accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower Bradley Manning; Protests mount over inhumane conditions of confinement
Over 6,000 sign "Stand with Brad" statement; supporters to rally outside Quantico on Monday to focus on inhumane conditions which amount to a form of torture; Bradley details actual day to day existance; WikiLeaks fulfills pledge of support; Legal team posts updates

Jeff Hanks not redeployed... for now
Soldier with extreme PTSD continues to fight for real treatment, while Army says returning to Afghanistan combat is best treatment. Donate to Jeff's defense fund hosted by Courage to Resist.

 


Bradley Manning support grows;
Protests mount over confinement conditions

manningBradley Manning speaks about his conditions (firedoglake.com)
By David House, Bradley Manning Support Network. December 23, 2010

Rally for Bradley this Monday, January 17th, at Quantico
Invoking the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, peace and justice activists to descend on Quantico prison to protest inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning. Following a noon protest at FBI Headquarters in DC (935 Pennsylvania Ave NW), there will be a convoy to Quantico for a 2pm rally at the Iwo Jima statue near Quantico's front gate--at the intersection of Rt. 1 (Jefferson Davis Hwy) and Rt. 619 (Fuller Rd). From I-95, take exit 150, Quantico/Triangle, then take route 619 east to the rally.

Psychologists for Social Responsibility issue open letter
"Given the nature and effects of the solitary confinement to which PFC Manning is being subjected, Mr. Secretary [Gates], Psychologists for Social Responsibility calls upon you to rectify the inhumane, harmful, and counterproductive treatment of PFC Bradley Manning immediately." Released January 4, 2011

Act to end the inhumane treatment of Bradley Manning
We need your help in pressing the following demands: End the inhumane, degrading conditions of pre-trial confinement and respect Bradley's human rights. Specifically, lift the "Prevention of Injury (POI) watch order". This would allow Bradley meaningful physical exercise, uninterrupted sleep during the night, and a release from isolation. We are not asking for "special treatment". In fact, we are demanding an immediate end to the special treatment.

  • Quantico Base Commander; Colonel Daniel Choike; 3250 Catlin Avenue, Quantico VA 22134; +1-703-432-0289 (Media Officer phone)
  • Quantico Brig Commanding Officer; CWO4 James Averhart; 3247 Elrod Avenue, Quantico VA 22134

manning logoUpdates from the legal team: Speedy trial, confinement conditions update, and motion to dismiss
By Bradley's lead attorney David Coombs. January 13, 2011

Bradley Manning and the rule of law
By Kevin Zeese, executive director of Voters for Peace. January 11, 2011
Kevin is a member of the Steering Committee of the Bradley Manning Support Network and WikiLeaksIsDemocracy.org.

WikiLeaks fulfills pledge to support Bradley Manning
By the Bradley Manning Support Network. January 13, 2011

Information regarding donating to Bradley's defense


Jeff Hanks not redeployed... for now

hanksIVAW update. January 12, 2011

Donate to Jeff's defense fund hosted by Courage to Resist.

Soldier Jeff Hanks has been fighting to get real treatment for his extreme case of PTSD for months now at Ft. Campbell.

Last week Jeff's deployment date was postponed. Overwhelmed by the pressure and anxiety of his pending deployment that night, Jeff had a mental break-down on Sunday afternoon. He is now receiving care at a civilian mental health facility where he will be for at least the next ten days. The Hanks' are feeling more optimistic about Jeff's care now that he is out of the Army's reach and getting in-patient treatment by civilians.

We are relieved that Jeff was not deployed given the state of his mental health. But we are outraged that it had to go this far. Let us be clear - the U.S. Army command at Fort Campbell, specifically Captain Jason Ambrosino, pushed this soldier to the brink. And they need to be held accountable. Presently, Army officials at Fort Campbell are remaining quiet about what Jeff could face when he returns from the hospital. They could choose to punish him for going AWOL back in October. They could try to discharge him without any benefits. They even could set a new deployment date.

Jeff is one of thousands of soldiers right now who are being forced into combat despite suffering from serious mental health problems. The Army is denying treatment to soldiers in Jeff's situation every single day. That is what the Operation Recovery campaign aims to stop. Over the next few months, we will be sending outreach teams to military bases with high rates of suicide, letting GIs know that they have the right to heal and holding those accountable who are denying that right.


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