UPDATES ON BRADLEY MANNING from the Bradlel Manning Support Network and Courage to Resist, statement from Amnesty International concerning his treatment to Sec of Defense Robert Gates and information on the National Call The White Hose for Bradley Manning day action on 3FEB11.
Replacement of Quantico brig commander provides military opportunity to end mistreatment of alleged WikiLeaks whistle-blower
By the Bradley Manning Support Network
QUANTICO, Virginia, 28 January 2011 -- Supporters of accused WikiLeaks whistleblower US Army PFC Bradley Manning are calling for Manning's detention status to be changed from maximum to medium security, that the "prevention of injury" (POI) order be lifted, and for the military to cease using "suicide watch" for punitive purposes. Without cause, Manning is the only inmate at Quantico subjected to either "max" confinement or POI. The lifting of these classifications would allow Manning to move outside his cell without restraints, perform jobs within the brig and have social interaction with other inmates.
This week the Marine Corps replaced brig commander Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) James Averhart with Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) Denise Barnes, stating that the change was a pre-planned rotation that was not "situationally driven."
"Pre-trial confinement is supposed to be about ensuring a servicemember's presence at court martial, yet for eight months now Bradley Manning has been subjected to extreme pre-trial punishment through the arbitrary use of the maximum classification and the 'prevention of injury' order. We certainly hope that the new Quantico brig commander will finally treat Manning as other inmates," stated Jeff Paterson, Oakland, California-based project director of Courage to Resist and a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network.
"There have been consistent abuses of discretion in the case of Bradley Manning," said Kevin Zeese, a Washington DC attorney and steering committee member of the Bradley Manning Support Network. "The previous commander abused his discretion so that Manning was punished rather than being treated like a typical pre-trial detainee. We have seen consistent cruel and unusual punishment of Manning."
Bradley Manning's attorney, David Coombs of Rhode Island, filed a complaint last week asserting that CWO4 James Averhart abused his discretion by placing Manning on an unjustified, punitive suicide watch regime for two days immediately after 150 supporters of Manning's rallied at Quantico's main entrance on Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Coombs yesterday catalogued in detail the fact that Manning's conditions of pre-trial confinement have been radically different than what has been described by military spokespersons.
"Despite the assertion of Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, PFC Bradley Manning is not being treated like every other detainee at the Quantico brig. Morrell stated during today's Pentagon briefing that PFC Manning's 'confinement is not in the least different from the manner in which anyone else at the brig is being held.' This statement is patently false," notes Coombs on his blog. Coombs also explained that his client was the only detainee at Quantico held under the maximum custody regime or the highly-restrictive "prevention of injury watch" order.
Concerns for Manning's human rights have been rising this week. Amnesty International wrote Defense Secretary Gates urging a review of Manning's pre-trial confinement conditions, a former commander at Quantico raised questions about the unusual conditions, and Manning's confinement was addressed in a White House press briefing. Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture continues to investigate the situation.
Over 50,000 people from around the world have already helped pay $110,000 toward Manning's legal defense, signed the public "We Stand with Bradley Manning" statement that will become a full-page New York Times newspaper ad, and/or have signed an online petition in support of Manning's human rights.
"If we're to believe the charges against Bradley Manning, it's clear that this is a textbook example of a whistle-blower acting in the interests of an informed democracy. He certainly deserves support," added supporter Jeff Paterson.
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References
Bradley Manning Support Network website
http://www.bradleymanning.org
"We stand with Bradley Manning" statement
http://www.standwithbrad.org
"PFC Bradley Manning Is Not Being Treated Like Every Other Detainee"
By Manning's attorney David Coombs, 26 January 2011
http://www.armycourtmartialdefense.info
DoD Transcript regarding Bradley Manning, 26 January 2011
http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4758
Amnesty International to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, 19 January 2011
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/006/2011/en/df463159-5ba2-416a-8b98-d52df0dc817a/amr510062011en.pdf
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 Nat'l White House call-in day to support Bradley Manning, Feb. 3
Call 202-456-1414 Thursday to voice your support for accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower Army PFC Bradley Manning. Express your concern that his human rights need to be respected by the Quantico VA brig authorities.
Military statements "patently false"
Bradley Manning is not being treated like other inmates! This week's replacement of Quantico brig commander provides military opportunity to end abuse.
Amnesty International protests abuse
Program Director Susan Lee, Americas Regional Program, writes open letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Manning's lawyer describes confinement (link only)
Attorney David Coombs explains, "[Bradley Manning] is the only detainee being held in Maximum (MAX) custody and under Prevention of Injury (POI) watch. Every other detainee is being held in Medium Detention In (MDI) and without POI watch restrictions. What is the difference?"
Nat'l White House call-in day to support Bradley Manning, Thursday, February 3rd
 White House switchboard:
202-456-1414
Or, White House comments:
202-456-1111
Bradley Manning Support Network
Call the White House Thursday, February 3, 2011, to voice your support for accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower US Army PFC Bradley Manning. Express your concern that Bradley's human rights need to be respected by the Quantico, Virginia, brig authorities.
Bradley has been held in solitary confinement-like conditions for over eight months, and his trial is still months away. This American citizen-soldier has been convicted of no crime, yet continues to endure inhumane conditions of pre-trial confinement like no other inmate at the Marine Corps brig at Quantico. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs recently stated that the White House was not paying attention to Bradley Manning's extreme confinement conditions, or the fact that recently pre-approved visitors of Bradley's have been detained and interrogated by military police in order to block their scheduled visit. It is critical that we educate the White House of this ongoing injustice!
Read the recommended points to make...
Military statements regarding Bradley Manning "patently false"
 Replacement of Quantico brig commander provides military opportunity to end mistreatment of alleged WikiLeaks whistle-blower
"[Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff] Morrell stated during today's Pentagon briefing that PFC Manning's 'confinement is not in the least different from the manner in which anyone else at the brig is being held.' This statement is patently false." -Attorney David Coombs
By the Bradley Manning Support Network. 28 January 2011
QUANTICO, Virginia, -- Supporters of accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower US Army PFC Bradley Manning are calling for Manning's detention status to be changed from maximum to medium security, that the "prevention of injury" (POI) order be lifted, and for the military to cease using "suicide watch" for punitive purposes. Without cause, Manning is the only inmate at Quantico subjected to either "max" confinement or POI. The lifting of these classifications would allow Manning to move outside his cell without restraints, perform jobs within the brig and have social interaction with other inmates.
This week the Marine Corps replaced brig commander Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) James Averhart with Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) Denise Barnes, stating that the change was a pre-planned rotation that was not "situationally driven.
"Pre-trial confinement is supposed to be about ensuring a servicemember's presence at court martial, yet for eight months now Bradley Manning has been subjected to extreme pre-trial punishment through the arbitrary use of the maximum classification and the 'prevention of injury' order. We certainly hope that the new Quantico brig commander will finally treat Manning as other inmates," stated Jeff Paterson, Oakland, California-based project director of Courage to Resist and a member of the Bradley Manning Support Network.
Read more...
Write a personal appeal for Bradley's human rights to:
- Quantico Base Commander; Colonel Daniel Choike; 3250 Catlin Avenue, Quantico VA 22134; +1-703-432-0289 (Media Officer phone)
- Quantico Brig Commanding Officer; CWO2 Denise Barnes; 3247 Elrod Avenue, Quantico VA 22134. Note that CWO2 Barnes replaced CWO4 Averhart on January 24, 2011.
Amnesty Int'l protests Bradley Manning abuse
 By Susan Lee, Amnesty International Program Director, Americas Regional Program. January 19, 2011
Dear Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, I am writing to express concern about the conditions under which Private First Class (PFC) Bradley Manning is detained at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia.
We are informed that, since July 2010, PFC Manning has been confined for 23 hours a day to a single cell, measuring around 72 square feet (6.7 square metres) and equipped only with a bed, toilet and sink. There is no window to the outside, the only view being on to a corridor through the barred doors of his cell. All meals are taken in his cell, which we are told has no chair or table. He has no association or contact with other pre-trial detainees and he is allowed to exercise, alone, for just one hour a day, in a day-room or outside.
Read more...
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