4:30 PM Today -- Chicago Stands with Bradley Manning!

[lgbtlib...@aol.com]

-Chicago Stands with-
-Bradley Manning-

 

Today, Wednesday, July 31st, Chicagoans will join people around the world in expressing their frustration and indignation at the injustice served to Pvt. Bradley Manning as he was convicted in a Ft. Meade, MD military courtroom yesterday.

4:30 PM - Rally

Federal Plaza
Adams & Dearborn Streets, Chicago

5:45 PM - March
 

Bradley Manning has already been in prison for over three years for releasing a massive cache of U.S. documents to WikiLeaks. These documents shed light on the criminal behavior of the U.S. and other governments. They reveal a profound and systemic lack of accountability and, in some cases, a chilling departure from the fundamental tenets of democracy on the part of both the Obama and Bush administrations.

While yesterday Judge Denise Lind rejected the prosecution's attempt to treat sharing secret government information with the media as "aiding the enemy" – something every administration in modern history themselves have done – by upholding five espionage charge, she extended the Obama administration's streak of prosecuting more whistle-blowers than all previous U.S. administrations in history combined.  He still faces a maximum penalty of 360 years in prison.

People around the world are appalled by the Obama administration’s handling of this case. It is common knowledge that the Bush administration condoned torture and lied to start an atrocious and devastating war – a war that has possibly killed over a million Iraqi people, killed or maimed thousands of U.S. soldiers and caused irreparable harm to the region.

President Obama shows a profound lack of integrity when he prosecutes whistle-blowers like Manning, and yet lets those who committed torture and started wars remain free. We are committed to democracy – and we do not accept this.

Bradley Manning is a hero. He has stood up for us. Now we must stand up for him.

Join us.

Please forward this email to other list serves, join and share the Facebook event, & be there in person!  Today's protest is co-sponsored Occupy Chicago, Gay Liberation Network, Chicago World Can't Wait, Northwest Indiana Veterans for Peace, ANSWER Chicago.