On Armistice Day- Free Chelsea Manning
Now-We Will Not Leave Our Sister Behind
The following short
remarks were addressed to group of fellow veterans and other peace and social
activists at a Boston Armistice Day commemoration by Frank Jackman.
I am proud today as a
member of Veterans for Peace to be giving this update on the situation of
heroic Wiki-leaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning now serving a thirty-five years
sentence out in the prairies of Kansas at Fort Leavenworth for telling the
American people the truth about the atrocities and other nefarious actions of
the military and of the government. Today, we should take a moment to speak for
the anti-war resisters as well as the fallen in battle. Speak out in support of
the resisters in this the 100th anniversary year of the beginning of
the organized anti-war movement to World War I when a few brave people told
their respective leaders to take their wars and go to hell. Add the name
Chelsea Manning into that mix these days.
Last year when I
updated Chelsea’s case on this occasion I noted that once all the hoopla of the
trial and sentencing was over the case would fall under the radar as the appellate
process and other legal actions ran their long courses. That continues to be
the case. I have to report this year that her appellate counsel are still
diligently working on reading the transcripts, the trial if you will recall was
the longest and produced the most paperwork in Army history, and developing the
issues to present to the Army Court Of Criminal Appeals the first crucial step
in the long appeals process that may very well wind up before the U.S. Supreme
Court. Of course appeals like every other aspect of the justice system cost
money, and plenty of it. This year when things were financially dicey an appeal
went out which raised the two hundred thousand dollars necessary for the
attorneys to go forward. Thanks to all who helped out with this aid.
As for Chelsea’s
personal situation as a woman in a man’s prison according to Jeff Patterson from
Courage to Resist, the organization which has been the central organizer of the
political and legal efforts on Chelsea’s behalf, she is doing well, has friends
out in Fort Leavenworth and has after a successful ACLU suit been given her
hormonal treatments. Thus far however her request to wear her hair at Army
style woman’s length has been denied.
Reflecting the marvels
of modern communication and publication Chelsea Manning has not been left
without resources even in prison. She is a contributor to the Guardian on-line and
writes a blog for Medium. She also has a Twitter account which you can access
from the Chelsea Manning Support Network site. Recently she wrote up a proposal
to reform the FISA courts, not an easy task to either write about or an organization
to reform.
Locally over the past
year we commemorated Chelsea’s fifth year in the government’s dungeons in May
and her birthday last December and will do so again this coming December at one
of the Park Street weekly vigils. We have also taken every occasion like this
one to keep her case before the public as well as by marching in events like
the Pride parade in June with a banner as well as urging all to sign the
Amnesty International/Courage to Resist on-line petition for President Obama to
pardon Chelsea before he leaves office. We will continue to support freedom for
Chelsea until she is released- we will not leave our sister behind. Free
Chelsea Manning Now!
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