Every week from now until the court martial the Bradley Manning Support Network will be asking supporters to write or call a person influential to the trial.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is the highest ranking civilian leader of the military, aside from President Obama in his role as Commander-In-Chief. As a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he worked for civil rights issues, and there is hope he will listen to our concerns about Bradley. He is also relatively new to the trial, and in a position of influence to allow United Nations requests for a special rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, to have access to confidentially meet with Pfc. Bradley Manning. It is unconscionable that anyone would block a UN observer to investigate serious allegations of prisoner abuse. It is particularly unusual that a President would allow one of his own soldiers to be treated so indecently.

A visit by a UN observer could be a first step towards a fair trial for Bradley Manning. However, the administration has so far persisted in staging a show trial — one where they’d already declared the defendant guilty before he’d been charged.

Call the Secretary of Defense. Let him know this court martial is a sham. Tell him to drop these ridiculous charges and pursue those who have abused Bradley Manning’s rights. If Secretary Panetta is unable or unwilling to hold military officials accountable for the criminal and improper behavior that has been exposed, then we will hold him responsible too.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
(703) 692-7100

If the number stops answering, you can also pressure his institute for public policy, which should certainly be educating people on the importance of whistle-blowers and fair justice.

The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
100 Campus Center, Building 86E
California State University, Monterey Bay
Seaside, California 93955
Phone 831-582-4200
Fax 831-582-4082
Email: [email protected]

Call the Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta. Share your concerns about Bradley’s brutal confinement and unjust prosecution.

• Ask him to drop all the charges against Pfc. Bradley Manning.
• Allow the defense to present its case! Including, all of its evidence and witnesses.
• Prosecute war criminals not whistle-blowers.
• Stop denying the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture access to visit Bradley Manning.
• Recognize that Bradley is an honorable person & give him a medal. Free Bradley Manning!

Once you call, sign this petition sponsored by Occupy and anti-war protester, and Veteran, Scott Olsen. It asks Leon Panetta to allow UN Special rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, access to visit with Bradley Manning so that he can properly investigate and report on the abuse. The petition already has 17,800 of the 25,000 needed signatures. Please add your voice.

Scott Olsen’s petition to Free Bradley Manning.