Update 7/31/13: Supporters took to the streets worldwide last week for Bradley

Hundred supporters gathered outside the White House the evening of the verdicts.

Hundred supporters gathered outside the White House the evening of the verdicts.

On July 26-27, thousands of supporters in the US and around the world marched and rallied to support Bradley Manning.

The largest demonstration was held outside of Ft. McNair in Washington D.C. where Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan’s office is.  As Convening Authority of Bradley Manning’s trial, Maj. Gen. Buchanan has the authority to reduce Bradley’s sentence, and supporters gathered asking him to do the right thing by releasing Bradley Manning.

In Crescent, OK where Bradley Manning grew up, supporters held rallies and vigils on Saturday, July 27 and was organized by the Oklahoma center for Conscience. For reports and photos, click here.

In Germany there were 40 demonstrations held across the country. See photos and videos from the rallies in Germany.

Meanwhile, the London Bradley Manning solidarity crew were joined by NYC’s Rev. Billy! for their event, “Free Speech Use it or Lose it!” Click here to watch Rev. Billy’s speech in London.

Supporters wait to get into the courtroom, 30 July 2013

Supporters wait to get into the courtroom, 30 July 2013

On Tuesday, July 30, Judge Denise Lind delivered verdicts in US v. Manning, acquitting Bradley of the “aiding the enemy” charge, but finding him guilty of 20 other charges, including six counts based on the insidious Espionage Act.

More than 70 supporters traveled to Ft. Meade to watch the judge deliver her verdict on Tuesday, and many participated in a vigil beforehand.

In an article published in The Washington Post, Caitlin Dewey writes about the vagueness of this act and how the Obama Administration has used it to indict six whistle-blowers under this act, twice as much as the previous administrations combined. “In the period immediately after it was written, the Espionage Act was used to jail hundreds of socialists and pacifists who opposed World War I. Later it would be applied to everyone from KGB spies to nuclear scientists.” Click here for the full article.

Jeff Paterson, Courage to Resist Project Director shared the support network’s reaction to the judge’s verdict in an interview with RT. Click here to watch the full interview.

Later in the evening, supporters and activists held emergency rallies in reaction to the judge’s verdict. Over 100 supporters in Washington, D.C. marched from Dupont Circle to the White House and chanting “hey, Obama listen to me! Bradley Manning should be free!” Click here to read more about the march to the White House.

Over 100 supporters of Bradley Manning rallied in San Francisco at Powell and Market Streets, and later marched to the Union Square shopping area. Local television crews filmed speakers and the Bradley Manning flash mob dancers for the nightly news.

Over 100 gathered in San Francisco following verdict.

Over 100 gathered in San Francisco following verdict.

2 thoughts on “Update 7/31/13: Supporters took to the streets worldwide last week for Bradley

  1. It’s a shame the Obama Administration is so afraid of “looking bad” that they look even worse trying to silence whistle blowers…I’ve been a lifelong Democrat, but I would consider voting Green after this one.

  2. In 2008 I recognized Obama as unqualified to be president and a possible Trojan horse. I voted for Ralph Nader on the Green Party ticket. By 2012, Obama had proven to be not only incompetent but dangerously deceitful. I voted for Rocky Anderson on the Justice Party ticket. All progressive should wake up to the fact that the Republicrat Party is a tool of the corporate malefactors.

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