Posts tagged Manning

  On Thursday the 8th I went to Ft. Meade, Maryland to see the second day of whistle-blower / conscientious objector PFC Bradley Manning’s speedy trial hearing (one of many BS hearings in my opinion.) Upon entering the base I went to the visitors center and was told that all we needed to do is take the car through the inspection security point for vehicles, then we could continue to the “court room.” I was in a rental car with one other person, the driver, who carried on to this inspection point. 

  After waiting a short time we were waved into a lane of a brickish structure not unlike a self car wash structure, only this one is filled with people in camo with guns. The driver of the car I was in rolled down his window and the man at our inspection lane came up to us. He asked us what we were doing there and I ducked down from the passenger seat to tell him that I was here to support Bradley Manning in his hearing today. The security guard looked at me and said: “I hope they take him out back and shoot him-” Then ordered us to get out of the car and open the trunk and hood. Another person in camo uniform came over with a bomb inspecting mirror for under the car, they searched it, and we got back in. We were given a map of the base at the visitors center so proceeded to the Court. I was furious that the man at the vehicle inspection point had said such a violent and out of line thing to a member of the public. He also gave me an intimidating look which I felt was meant to make me feel threatened as a woman. So we followed the visitors center’s map to the Court were Manning was having his “hearing.”

  I got out of the car to a series of trailers and fences next to one of the many structures on Ft. Meade. There was a military police car parked at the front of the fence which directed visitors of the hearing into another security trailer. In the trailer two very well mannered young soldiers searched my bag I had with me (A Charlie the Unicorn Banana King bag, I might add) and took a metal detector to my body. I was cleared to go through the back door of that trailer which opened up into the fenced off area containing a second waiting trailer and a third portable bathroom trailer. I went into the waiting trailer and met some of the wonderful people that help support Bradley Manning and inform the public about his case. Some of the great people: Clark, a great artist and activist/ journalist; Nathan, the hard working young activist/ journalist from the Bradley Manning Support Network; Alexa, sometimes called “Saint A” because of her great accounting of the “case” so far. Others included an awesome Aussie and some older gentlemen. We introduced ourselves, some of us recognizing each-other from twitter, etc. We went out of the trailer when called then headed into the court room.

  I was so happy to see Bradley sitting there with his stunning defense team. Bradley has been an inspiration for myself and millions - and here he was right in front of me. He was dressed in a crisp uniform as were all those in the service - apart from the “plain clothes” men guarding the courtroom. It looked like there were different branches represented. In the very corner was a snickering young man with a row of computers that I took to be the Gov tech geek. The prosecution sat on the right and Manning, his team and supporters on the left. The Gov side was basically empty with Bradley having people in each row on his side. At one point he turned around and flashed us an amazing grin, complete w/ dimples. :)

  I was so proud to be in the same room as Bradley Manning because I believe his actions, if he is “guilty” of giving some of the info that the public has benefited from, he has helped make us all safer by exposing the Truth. Some people don’t want to look in the mirror but we all need to see what we look like in the eyes of the world. I feel that we have a right to be honorable and those that serve in the Army etc, feel this way as well. The Collateral Murder in Iraq video is just one example of the things we as Americans must take action to stop. Killing innocent people only increases the hatred felt towards America due to our war crimes. 

  Getting back to the court: For details on the case, I refer you to journalists such as… Alexa O’Brien; Nathan Fuller; and Kevin Gosztola..etc. I am just giving my account as an activist. Some people know I used to be on the radio, many times talking about Bradley Manning. I was harassed for my support for him and also told that people agreed with me. I will continue to support Manning as I know we can operate in the light together as a Democracy- at some point. At the start we were all told not to react to anything, not to disturb court, that the public was welcomed etc. I felt that last point was odd considering they had threatened to shoot Manning at the vehicle inspection point - which was disgusting as it was later discussed that this was said to others. The PR woman for Ft. Meade even said it was not right and was trying to smooth it over. The proceedings went very quickly and the court room was very hot. I got the feeling that the Col. that was on the stand had not written and of the memos -or very little of the memos - that were supposed to be written by them. I was right as it later came out when Manning’s defense asked if he had written them. The Col. (I think that was his rank but don’t really care or know - again ask the journos - Lulz) seemed to tense up and not say yes or no. I was shocked at the delays described in the hearing. The prosecution is called trial council and they seem to be fabricating some sort of case in this new and un charted territory. I had to leave the hearing around 3:00 but it went on for many hours after it. 

  I was so happy to be able to show my support for Bradley Manning. I was also happy and grateful to his wonderful East Coast supporters that have put in so much hard work and love for this young whistleblower. I think we all need to remember the importance of this young man and his case. The supposed WikiLeaks connection and so many other internet activists just shows the resounding support for truth and a common love of human beings, regardless of Country. I am so thankful to have made it out there to finally see Bradley Manning. Now lets all work to FREE HIM NOW!!! :) <3 <3 <3 I am Bradley Manning. 

<3 Denica Cassandra De Foy

Bradley Manning August motion hearing, Day 1

By: Kevin Gosztola 

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Alexa O’Brien: Archives 

Keep up w/ the Manning hearings! FREE BRAD AND JULIAN! :) 

Follow Bradley Manning’s Hearing Today- June 6th

On twitter, check my account: 

@D_Cassandra_D 

These are the peeps reporting live on twitter:

@kgosztola @DavidFPowell @WikileaksTruck @carwinb 

@wiltshire @vinylated @nathanLfuller 

@kennethlipp 

Update yourself on the HERO + Whistleblower PFC Bradley Manning!!!

From Wikileaks, via the PLF from EFF:

“And while the State Department said today that they “advocate for freedom of expression and raise media freedom issues, including specific cases, in bilateral discussions with other governments and in multilateral bodies,” the administration has come under fire for lobbyingthe Yemeni government to keep a prominent Yemeni journalist Abd al-Ilah Haydar Al-Sha’i in jail. Al-Sha’i has aggressively covered civilian casualties resulting from US drone strikes in the region and has previously working for multiple US publications such as ABC News and the Washington Post.

On the local level in the U.S., many police departments have engaged in heavy-handed tactics against the press covering political protests, most notably Occupy Wall Street protests. Journalists have been harrassed, assaulted and over 70 have been arrested. An assortment of news organizations led by the New York Times have formally complained to the NYPD about such behavior, and a recent lawsuit alleges constitutional violations stemming from such incidents.

These arrests caused the U.S. to plummet 27 places in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom rankings to 47th overall.” 

Read whole article here!

US government goes ahead with the outlandish charge of aiding the enemy against Bradley Manning this week. (Alleged Wikileaker - look it up if ur confused) I did a radio show focused on this so I know a LOT about this case. I am shocked but not surprised that the USA has become/ or always has been a fascist Nation with a Gov. that will eat its people for the 1%. If you do not get why this case is important, or Dangerous for the rights of activists, press, soldiers, citizens etc - YOU FUCKING SHOULD! :P CISPA, Manning… sometimes I wonder if anyone in America gives a shit or Knows anything about their own fucking rights.