FAQ
By Jeff Paterson, Project Director of Courage to Resist. July 29, 2010
Answers to questions regarding the Bradley Manning defense fund, including:
Is WikiLeaks providing a legal team for Manning? Who are his civilian defense lawyers?
Should I donate to Manning’s defense at bradleymanning.org, or at wikileaks.org?
How much will the defense fund need to raise?
Does Manning know the Bradley Manning Support Network is raising money on his behalf?
How can I donate without using the Internet?
What is Courage to Resist?
What experience does Courage to Resist have in doing something like this?
Why does Courage to Resist support Manning?
How did you get involved?
Is WikiLeaks providing a legal team for Manning? Who are his civilian defense lawyers?
Quick answer:
The Army has kept Manning in isolation since his arrest on May 29. He has been in pre-trial confinement in Quantico, VA during this time. This has allowed the Army to intentionally limit Manning’s ability to understand all of the legal defense options available to him.
Lawyers associated with WikiLeaks approached the US Army in June with the intent of assisting Pfc. Bradley Manning. I don’t have any information regarding the status or possible future role of the initial WikiLeaks associated lawyers in Manning’s defense.
His appointed military defense JAG (Judge Advocate General) representatives seem to have steered him towards “not making this case a big deal”, and possibly forgoing civilian representation altogether. Besides the military defense JAGs, who are stationed hundreds of miles away from the detention facility, his only other (limited) communications are with a relative and Manning’s close friend David
House.
However, Manning has chosen David Coombs, a civilian military lawyer, for his defense.
Should I donate to Manning’s defense at bradleymanning.org, or at wikileaks.org?
Quick answer: bradleymanning.org (donation page direct link)
Last month WikiLeaks announced that donations towards Manning’s defense could be made via the WikiLeaks website. Since then WikiLeaks has expressed appreciation to the Bradley Manning Support Network for the formation of this grassroots effort dedicated to Manning’s defense, as WikiLeaks has been busy carrying out its primary mission.
Mr. Assange of WikiLeaks has pledged a “significant amount” towards Manning’s legal expenses. I do not know how much WikiLeaks has collected for Manning’s defense; however, it is my assumption that WikiLeaks’ contribution will be significantly more than the donations they received.
I expect WikiLeaks will transfer funds directly to Manning’s eventually selected defense counsel. Transferring those funds to the Bradley Manning defense fund hosted by Courage to Resist would incur unnecessary banking and fiscal fees.
How much will the defense fund need to raise?
Quick answer: At least $50k.
Since Manning has not yet selected civilian legal representation, the final legal expenses are still complete conjecture. Based on my experience, the only estimate even remotely possible is $100k to $200k. Aside from WikiLeaks’ contribution, I’m certain that this fund will have to raise at least $50k, and probably a bit more.
Key unknowns are: What will be the rate of Manning’s selected representation? What type of travel will be needed? How many expert witnesses will testify, and will they do so in person? Will character witnesses testify? Where will the court martial eventually be held? Will motions be filed in federal court? Not to mention appeals.
All of that assumes that Manning will opt for a vigorous defense at court martial. How much a defense can mount is always in some way related to the financial resources available.
Does Manning know the Bradley Manning Support Network is raising money on his behalf?
Quick answer: Yes.
Based on brief messages via his military JAGs and a relative, I’m confident that Manning is aware that fundraising efforts are being undertaken on his behalf and that he welcomes this support. He also understands this is an important aspect of providing him with a range of legal defense options.
How can I donate without using the Internet?
To donate by check or money order, please make payable to “Courage to Resist” and mail to Courage to Resist, 484 Lake Park Ave #41, Oakland CA 94610. Make sure to note “Bradley Manning Defense” on the memo line.
We can also provide printed remittance envelopes pre-marked for use in fund raising on behalf of the Bradley Manning defense fund. For example, these would be appropriate for passing out at social events.
Courage to Resist is an organizing collective comprised of about two dozen concerned community members and military veterans dedicated to supporting military war objectors. We’re a program of International Humanities Center, a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. As an organization, we’ve been doing this kind of work since 2004. Most of our collective members are located on the west coast, but we work on behalf of US military objectors across the US and around the world.
We are not affiliated with any political party or organization. However, we count Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, National Lawyers Guild’s Military Law Task Force, and War Resister League among our allies.
What experience does Courage to Resist have in doing something like this?
Courage to Resist is hosting the defense fund in collaboration with the Bradley Manning Support Network. The primary purpose of this effort is to educate the American public regarding the issues involved in Manning’s defense, and legal expenses are a critical aspect of doing so.
In addition to the hundreds of individuals Courage to Resist has assisted without fanfare, we have provided public political support and hosted similar defense funds for: Lt. Ehren Watada, Spc. Agustin Aguayo, Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, Sgt. Travis Bishop, Spc. Dustin Stevens, Spc. Marc Hall, Spc. Robin Long, Spc. Victor Agosto, Spc. Tony Anderson, Spc. Ryan Jackson, and Spc. Kyle Snyder, to name a few (each should turn up plenty of hits via Google, YouTube, etc.).
Like those campaigns, we’ll publicly list a running total of donations received, and an estimated total needed as soon as we have some idea what that need is. We will also provide an overview of how the money was spent.
Although Courage to Resist has worked with a number of returning or captured “deserters” who technically could have faced the death penalty at trial, Manning’s situation is admittedly more serious than previous objectors. However, for the most part, I believe the same considerations and issues apply.
Why does Courage to Resist support Manning?
Courage to Resist’s primary mission is to “support the troops who refuse to fight.” However, we realize that troops who speak out and share the realities of war after witnessing or participating have an important role to play in educating the American people. If Bradley Manning is indeed the “WikiLeaks leaker”, he serves our support in this regard. If he is not the individual who courageously exposed this war crime, then he also needs help.
As a Marine Corporal, I refused to deploy with my artillery battery in August 1990 in support of the coming attack on Iraq. Like Manning, I was also held in pre-trial confinement for months prior to a politically charged court martial where I faced years of possible imprisonment. Unlike Manning, I had access to, and communication with, a support community which acted as my lifeline in many different ways. Manning deserves the same political and legal support that I had, and I intend to do what I can to this end.
Autor: Jeff Paterson, voditelj projekta u organizaciji Courage to Resist. 29. srpnja 2010.
Odgovori na pitanja o fondu za obranu Bradleyja Manninga, uključujući i:
Omogućuje li WikiLeaks pravni tim za Manninga? Tko su njegovi civilni branitelji?
Trebam li donirati za Manningovu obranu na bradleymanning.org/hr/ ili na wikileaks.org?
Koliko sredstava treba prikupiti fond za obranu?
Zna li Manning da Mreža potpore Bradleyju Manningu prikuplja novac u njegovo ime?
Na koji način mogu donirati putem interneta?
Što je to Courage to Resist?
Kakva iskustva ima Courage to Resist u sličnim slučajevima?
Zašto Courage to Resist pruža potporu Manningu?
Na koji ste se način Vi angažirali?
Omogućuje li WikiLeaks pravni tim za Manninga? Tko su njegovi civilni branitelji?
Brzi odgovor: Manning još uvijek nije odabrao civilne pravne zastupnike.
Odvjetnici povezani s WikiLeaksom obratili su se u lipnju Oružanim snagama SAD-a u namjeri da pomognu razvodniku Bradleyju Manningu.
Oružane snage SAD-a drže Manninga u izolaciji još od njegova uhićenja 29. svibnja. Tijekom tog vremena on je bio zadržan u pritvoru u Kuvajtu. To je Oružanim snagama SAD-a omogućilo da namjerno ograniče Manningovu sposobnost razumijevanja opcija pravne obrane koje mu stoje na raspolaganju.
Čini se da su ga njemu dodijeljeni vojni branitelji JAG (Judge Advocate General, vojni pravobranitelj) nagovorili da “ne pravi slona o0d muhe od ovog slučaja”, a moguće i da se u cijelosti odrekne civilnog pravnog zastupnika. Osim vojnih branitelja JAG-a, koji su stacionirani stotinama kilometara daleko od zatvora, on još komunicira (ograničeno) jedino s članovima obitelji.
Tek sam se posljednjih nekoliko dana donekle uvjerio da Manning ipak prima informacije o opcijama pravnog uzastupanja koje mu stoje na raspolaganju. Budući da smo tek odnedavno uspjeli Manningu pružiti “uistinu dobre opcije”, smatram dobrim znakom to što Manning nije odabrao civilne branitelje.
Nemam nikakvih informacija o statusu ili mogućoj budućoj ulozi prvotnih odvjetnika povezanih s WikiLeaksom u Manningovoj obrani.
Trebam li donirati za Manningovu obranu na bradleymanning.org/hr/ ili na wikileaks.org?
Brzi odgovor: bradleymanning.org/hr/ (izravna poveznica na stranicu za donacije)
Prošlog je mjeseca WikiLeaks najavio da bi se donacije za Manningovu obranu mogle primati i putem internetske stranice WikiLeaksa. Otada je WikiLeaks izrazio zazhvalnost Mreži potpore Bradleyju Manningu radi zasnivanja ovog nastojanja utemeljenog na širokim masama posvećenog Manningovoj obrani jer je WikiLeaks bio zauzet s provođenjem svoje primarne misije.
Gospodin Assange iz WikiLeaksa založio je ”značajnu svotu” u korist Manningovih pravnih troškova. Nije mi poznato koliko je WikiLeaks dosad prikupio za Manningovu obranu, međutim, pretpostavljam da će doprinos WikiLeaksa biti značajno veći od donacija koje su dosad primili.
Očekujem da će WikiLeaks doznačiti ta sredstva izravno branitelju kojega će Manning eventualno odabrati. Prebacivanje tih sredstava Fondu za obranu Bradleyja Manninga koji je zasnovala organizacija Courage to Resist samo bi izazvalo nepotrebne bankovne i porezne naknade.
Koliko sredstava treba prikupiti fond za obranu?
Brzi odgovor: Najmanje $ 50.000,00.
Budući da Manning još uvijek nije odabrao civilne pravne zastupnike, konačni pravni troškovi još su uvijek puka nagađanja. Na temelju vlastitog iskustva mogu reći da je jedina iole moguća procjena $ 100.000,00 do $ 200.000,00. Osim doprinosa WikiLeaksa, uvjeren sam da će ovaj fond morati prikupiti najmanje $ 50.000,00, a vjerojatno i nešto više od toga.
Ključne nepoznanice jesu: Kolike će biti tarife zastupnika kojega Manning odabere? Kakva će sve putovanja biti potrebna? Koliko će sudskih vještaka svjedočiti te hoće li to i osobno učiniti? Hoće li itko svjedočiti o njegovu karakteru? Gdje će se eventualno održati prijeki sud? Hoće li se podnesci podnositi američkom saveznom sudu? Da ne spominjemo žalbe.
Pretpostavka je da će se Manning na temelju svega toga ipak odlučiti za energičnu obranu na prijekom sudu. Koliko će obrana u tome uspjeti uvijek je na neki način povezano s raspoloživim financijskim resursima.
Zna li Manning da Mreža potpore Bradleyju Manningu prikuplja novac u njegovo ime?
Brzi odgovor: Da.
Na temelju kratkih poruka razmijenjenih preko njegovih vojnih branitelja JAG-a i članova obitelji uvjeren sam da je Manning svjestan da se u njegovo ime poduzimaju nastojanja oko prikupljanja sredstava i da on pozdravlja tu potporu. On razumije i to da je ovo važan aspekt u omogućivanju širokog raspona opcija pravne obrane.
Na koji način mogu donirati putem interneta?
Kako biste donirali čekom ili u gotovini, molimo da kao primatelja uplate navedete “Courage to Resist” i da nam to pošaljete na adresu Courage to Resist, 484 Lake Park Ave #41, Oakland CA 94610. Pobrinite se da u rubrici „svrha plaćanja“ navedete “Obrana Bradleyja Manninga”.
Također Vam možemo poslati prethodno frankirane kuverte s ispisanom novčanom pošiljkom za uporabu u prikupljan ju sredstava u ime fonda za obranu Bradleyja Manninga. One bi, primjerice, bile primjerene za dijeljenje na društvenim okupljanjima.
Što je to Courage to Resist?
Courage to Resist je kolektiv koji se bavi organizacijom, a koji se sastoji od otprilike dvadesetak članova zajednice i vojnih veterana posvećenih pružanju potpore vojnim protivnicima rata. Mi smo program Međunarodnog centra za humanost (International Humanities Center), neprofitne organizacije koja djeluje prema Odjeljku 501(c)(3) IRS zakonika. Kao organizacija, bavimo se ovim poslom još od 2004. Većina članova našeg kolektiva nalaze se na zapadnoj obali, ali mi radimo u ime protivnika rata koji su dio vojnih snaga SAD-a diljem Sjedinjenih Američkih Država i diljem svijeta.
Nismo povezani ni s jednom političkom strankom ni organizacijom. Međutim, u naše saveznike ubrajamo Iraq Veterans Against the War (Irački veterani protiv rata), Veterans for Peace (veterani za mir), National Lawyers Guild’s Military Law Task Force (Radna skupina za vojno pravo Državnog odvjetničkog ceha) i War Resister League (Liga protivnika rata).
Kakva iskustva ima Courage to Resist u sličnim slučajevima?
Courage to Resist zasniva fond za obranu u suradnji s Mrežom potpore Bradleyju Manningu. Osnovni cilj tog nastojanja jest obrazovati američku javnost o pitanjima Manningove obrane, a pravni troškovi su ključni aspekt takvog nastojanja.
Osim stotinama pojedinaca, Courage to Resist je pomatgao bez fanfara, omogućili smo političku potporu javnosti i zasnivali slične fondove za obranu za: poručnika Ehrena Watadu, Agustina Aguayu, Alexisa Hutchinsona, narednika Travisa Bishopa, Dustina Stevensa, Marca Halla, Robina Longa, Victora Agostu, Tonyja Andersona, Ryana Jacksona i Kylea Snydera, da navedemo samo nekolicinu (za svakog od njih pojavit će se mnoštvo pogodaka preko Googla, YouTuba itd.).
Kao i u tim kampanjama, javno ćemo pobrojati ukupan iznos primljenih donacija, kao i procijenjenu ukupno potrebnu svotu čim nam postane jasno kolike su te potrebe. Također ćemo objaviti i pregled trošenja tog novca.
Premda je Courage to Resist dosad radio s cijelim nizom “dezertera”, koji se vraćaju ili su uhićeni, a koji su se tehnički mogli suočiti sa smrtnom kaznom na suđen ju, priznajemo da je Manningova situacija znatno ozbiljnija od situacije u kojoj su se nalazili prethodni protivnici rata. Međutim, vjerujem da su na djelu većim dijelom ista promišljanja i pitanja.
Zašto Courage to Resist pruža potporu Manningu?
Primarna misija organizacije Courage to Resist jest “pružati potporu vojnim snagama koje se odbijaju boriti.” Međutim, jasno nam je da vojne snage koje progovore i podijele ratnu stvarnost, nakon što su joj bile svjedocima ili sudjelovale u njoj, igraju vrlo važnu ulogu u obrazovanju američkog naroda. Ako je Bradley Manning uistinu “WikiLeaksov izvor”, onda on u tom pogledu zaslužuje našu potporu. A ako on nije pojedinac koji je hrabro otkrio taj ratni zločin, onda je njemu opet potrebna pomoć.
Na koji ste se način Vi angažirali?
Kao mornarički pješak, u kolovozu 1990. odbio sam krenuti u borbu sa svojom topničkom baterijom kao potpora nadolazećem napadu na Irak. Baš poput Manninga, i ja sam zadržan u pritvoru mjesecima prije nego održavanja politički motiviranog prijekog suda, na kojemu sam bio suočen s godinama mogućeg zatvora. Za razliku od Manninga, imao sam pristupa i komunicirao sam sa zajednicom koja mi je pružala potporu, koja je na mnog različite načine djelovala kao moja jedina veza s vanjskim svijetom. Manning zaslužuje istu političku i pravnu potporu koju sam imao i ja i ja namjeravam učiniti sve što je moguće u tom smjeru.
What can people do that cannot support with funds, but with volunteering? I am located outside of the US. I think it is very important that all these organizations gathered here do not only try to win the battle against injustice with money, but also with people who just feel frustrated and feel the NEED to take action themselves, which might actually make a stronger force than only supplying montary funds.
Please let me(/us?) know.