Stand in solidarity with Bradley Manning in London as he is arraigned for Court Martial in the US. The Vigil will take place at the hour the arraignment is starting at Fort Meade, Maryland.

Meet in front of the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square. Nearest tube: Bond Street.

Solidarity Vigil presently sponsored by London Catholic Worker, Veterans for Peace UK, WISE Up for Bradley Manning.

RSVP your attendance to Ciaron or text 079 392 90576.

Short YouTube video of a previous vigil outside the US Embassy by British Veterans in solidarity with Bradley Manning below:

Report here

The Court Martial of Bradley Manning is expected to begin in early May.

Meanwhile, the US National Lawyers Guild has called for all charges against Bradley Manning to be dismissed.

“one of the more significant documents of our time, removing the fog of war and revealing the true nature of 21st century asymmetrical warfare.”

Due to sensationalised media reports, a lot of people are quite unaware of any evidence there is that Bradley acted out of conscience. I thought it would be useful, therefore, to extract from the chat logs all that relates to Bradley’s apparent motivation.

Directing people to the published chat logs themselves means they have an awful lot of text to plough through, and it requires some commitment, so this is a resource that only contains thoughts on the leaks themselves.

When I was going through it, it really struck me that it had a sense of soliloquy about it, and that it reads like a prose poem – I felt that it built a picture of the ‘together’ person behind the selective snap shots we’ve had from mainstream media. It’s a chance to let Bradley himself be heard, I hope.

Lindi

Read the edited chat logs: Bradley Manning: In his own words

By the time I lived in community with Phil Berrigan, he was a wise old man. He had served many years in U.S. prisons for his nonviolent resistance to the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons – initiating the draft board raids and plowshares movements. After I moved on, he would serve many more years. He was in the very best sense disillusioned with popular American pretensions. He suffered from few illusions.

Phil had a great saying when it came to the abandonment by liberals and church folks when one moved from rhetoric and pontification into serious nonviolent resistance to the warmaking imperial state. Phil’s wry observation was “Warm friends, cooling!” And so it has gone with Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, most evidently with former enthusiastic collaborators the New York Times and the Guardian newspapers who have been busy putting as much water as possible between themselves and Assange after publishing the WikiLeaks circulated Iraq and Afghan war logs.

Here in England, the Guardian - the Pravda of the liberal left – runs a consistent campaign of character assassination of Manning and Assange. “Julian Assange BAD, Bradley Manning MAD” is the line they consistently push. The line filters down to everyone from the authoritarian left factions running the mainstream anti-war groups to the libertarian left who’ve decided to sit this one out. The biggest show trials of of the anti-Iraq War movement are underway in the U.S. and U.K., yet few of the millions who marched against these wars in 2003 gather at court in solidarity with these resisters.

The WikiLeaks Grand Jury continues to sit for now over 500 days in Virginia, USA. The British, Swedish and Australian authorities do all they can to service the U.S. war effort and its repression of those who seriously oppose the wars.

This past week, as Bradley Manning remains in chains, in contrast a U.S. marine sergeant gets a no jail time plea bargain for the murder of 15 unarmed men, 3 women and 6 children in the Iraqi village of Haditha.

This past week, as Assange experienced his 420th day of house arrest without charge, a secret US military report was leaked to the BBC and The Times that “portrays the Taliban as being under the thumb of Pakistan’s powerful security agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)”.

Could this be the same Pakistan military so heavily funded and tooled up by the U.S. and U.K.? To whom is this contradiction a secret? Surely not the Pakistan military and the Taliban! Maybe a secret to the British and American parents who are sending their children to kill and die in what the U.S. and U.K. military elites recognise as a lost war in Afghanistan.

This past week we attended yet another of Julian’s court appearances in London. This time the setting was at the Supreme Court, where seven judges were to consider whether a Swedish prosecutor rates as a “judicial authority” in the ordering of an European Arrest Warrant.

At Giuseppe Conlon House we rose around 6 a.m. to make our way into central London.

Our house is named after an innnocent man who died in prison as a victim of a now recognised Miscarriage of Justice. At our Catholic Worker (CW) house we offer hospitality to destitute refugees, many who have fled wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and corrupt governments that WikiLeaks has been busy shining a light on. The police had initiated contact with us as the Supreme Court falls in the remit of the authoritarian SOCPA legislation that does its best to restrict demonstrations in the vicinity of British Parliament. The Supreme Court stands facing the Houses of Parliament. Our global crew on the tube included African, Australian, a British veteran of both Iraq and Afghan wars, North and South American.

We alighted at Green Park and wheeled my suitcase full of banners, visuals, placards and candles through the park past Buckingham Palace until we arrived at the Supreme Court. We were joined by Susan from the Oxford Catholic Worker and a 5 strong crew from the Catholic Worker farmhouse. Amongst our CW crew we have lot of experience around courts – as anti-war defendants and generating solidarity for other defendants. We constructed a shrine to the war dead and strung up banners on the police barriers provided. “The first casualty of war is truth!”, “Free Assange and Manning!”, “Remember the Afghan War Dead: Support War Resisters!”

Roland and Sue arrived by cycle from South London with hot tea & coffee and dumpster dived treats. Other activsts began to arrive – one woman had flown in from Switzerland, a guy from Glasgow, a mother and daughter from Germany. Kiwi John cycled in with his guitar strapped to his back. He started playing and didn’t stop for two days.

A crew from Occupy LondonSX at St. Paul’s added to our growing number. Anonymous folks in their V masks kept appearing.

Gareth Peirce who once represented Giuseppe & Gerry Conlon, more recently folks in Guantanamo, ploughshares activists and now Julian Assange, walked into court. When you’re anywhere near a court, it’s reassuring to see Gareth arriving.

Julian and WikiLeaks folks arrived about 9.30 a.m. The manic media scrum from the High Court days in November was not repeated in the morning due to the snappers being penned in behind police barriers. No need for us to run interference and time for Julian to greet and thank the support. John struck up Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” and we all joined in as Julian entered court. Getting him out on the conclusion of the second day would be a little more hectic.

We stood for two long days in vigil outside the Supreme Court as the temperature rarely went above 2 degrees with the wind chill taking it down another level or so. To “vigil” is “to stay awake” when governments want us sedated and silent as they carry out their death dealing on the extremities of empire and bury dissidents in their domestic dungeons. Folks took turns in going into the court building to view proceedings on an internal feed. So there on the pavement, surrounded by the powerful institutions of state and media that have for these long years facilitated the killing and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, we built community and solidarity for those few days as one of our own ran the gauntlet for exposing their lies.

What the future holds for Julian, Bradley and others in the crosshairs of empire is in our hands. It depends on what community, solidarity and nonviolent reisistance we can muster in these times.

(The seven Law Lords of the Supreme Court have reserved judgment in this case, expected in a few weeks)

More photos from solidarity at the Supreme Court in IT Friends of Bradley Manning’s photostream.
Also, short video here.

See also this article by John Pilger on Bradley Manning and Julian Assange, and this interview with Jennifer Robinson, legal adviser to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

[1] Bradley Manning; action at Northwood Military HQ, London – December 2010

[2] Westminster Magistrates Court, London December 2010; Australia House, London – December 2010

[3] Australia House, London – December 2010; flyer for public meeting – February 2011

[4] Belmarsh Court, Woolwich, London – February 2011; Subterranean Homesick Blues remake, Savoy Hotel, London – June 2011

[5] Belmarsh Court, Woolwich, London – February 2011

[6] Belmarsh Court, Woolwich, London – February 2011

[7] Belmarsh Court, Woolwich, London – February 2011

[8] Belmarsh Court, Woolwich, London – February 2011

[9] Wrexham – January and March 2011

[10] Wrexham – March 2011

[11] US Embassy, London – March 2011

[12] US Embassy, London – March 2011

[13] US Embassy, London – March 2011

[14] Solidarity Postcard; Wrexham – April 2011

[15] Giuseppe Conlon House, London – April 2011

[16] Giuseppe Conlon House, London – April 2011

[17] Giuseppe Conlon House, London – April 2011

[18] Giuseppe Conlon House, London – April 2011

[19] Dublin – April 2011

[20] Dublin – April and May 2011

[21] Posters and postcards

[22] London – Good Friday 2011

[23] London – Good Friday 2011

[24] London – Good Friday 2011

[25] High Court, London – June 2011

[26] Parliament Square and High Court, London – June 2011

[27] High Court, London – July 2011

[28] High Court, London – July 2011

[29] High Court, London – July 2011

[30] High Court, London – July 2011

[31] US Embassy, London – July 2011

[32] London – July and October 2011

[33] Pride London – July 2011

[34] Liverpool Peace & Ecology Festival – July 2011

[35] Various festival fields – Summer 2011

[36] High Court, London – July 2011

[37] GCHQ, Cheltenham – September 2011; Downing Street, London – October 2011

[38] Occupy lsx, St Paul’s, London – October 2011

[39] High Court, London – November 2011

[40] Bank of England, London – November 2011

[41] Bank of England, London – November 2011

[42] Occupy lsx, St Paul’s London – November 2011

[43] High Court, London – December 2011

[44] High Court, London – December 2011

[45] High Court, London – December 2011

[46] US Embassy, London – December 2011

[47] Plas Coch, Wrexham – December 2011

[48] UWIC, Central Market and the Red and Black Umbrella, Cardiff – December 2011

[49] Newport Road, Cardiff – December 2011

[50] Messages from Cardiff – December 2011

[51] Whistle and stall, Cardiff; NSA Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire – December 2011

[52] US Embassy, London – December 2011

[53] US Embassy, London – December 2011

[54] US Embassy, London – December 2011

[55] Northwood Military HQ, London – December 2011

[56] Northwood Military HQ, London – December 2011

[57] Northwood Military HQ, London – December 2011

Click here for [Part 1]

Click here for [Part 2]

Click here for [Part 3]

Scott and Maria Albrecht, Henrietta Cullinan, John Lynes and Rachel Wood pitched tents, knelt and prayed in front of the main gate for 2 hours while others vigiled holding signs.

One tent had the words, The Prince of Peace pitched his tent among us. John 1:14.

A sign said War is not a Solution, which is a direct message from the Young Afghan Peace Volunteers.

Two signs quoted Bradley Manning: Revealing the true nature of 21st Century Asymmetrical Warfare and Removing the Fog of War.

A banner stating Occupy Northwood HQ not Afghanistan was hung on the fence. The gate remained closed for the duration of the occupation.

The Catholic Worker group had gathered to mark the Feast of Holy Innocents; when Catholics remember the children murdered by king Herod in his search for the infant Jesus. Catholic Workers make the connection with the powerful who continue to kill the innocents today in war, specifically Afghanistan. Northwood HQ is the command and control centre for British forces in Afghanistan, all joint forces and NATO operations abroad. Northwood HQ has recently experienced a £1.2 billion building project; these funds could have otherwise benefited the community.

The five occupiers were: Maria Albrecht (50), Scott Albrecht (49) from the Catholic Worker Farm, Hertfordshire, Henrietta Cullinan (50) from the Catholic Worker in Hackney, John Lynes (83) Quaker from Hastings and Rachel Wood (28) from the Catholic Worker group Sheffield.

A group statement said:

At a time when government cuts are affecting innocent children, pensioners, teachers, the sick and refugees the last thing we need to be doing is to continue spending billions on warfare. Human lives are the deepest cost. The government complains about a few tents occupying a small square outside St. Paul’s cathedral while we’ve sent thousands of soldiers to occupy other people’s countries and destroy their lives. This government needs to get its priorities right.

Catholic Workers also remembered Bradley Manning at last year’s Northwood action on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Report here.

Thanks to Maria T Albrecht of the Catholic Worker Farm for the photos in this report.

The original message book and photo messages are being sent to Bradley Manning. Read the report from the Dec 16-19 days of action in Wales here.

Thinking about you. Stay strong!

Penblwydd Hapus. All our love.

Yes to freedom, freedom of speech. No to tyranny, no to torture. We are all with you.

Much love and admiration…

Happy birthday Bradley. The world is watching.

Many are with you and thinking of you.

So much solidarity with you, Bradley.

Thank you Bradley. We appreciate the risks you took (if you did!)

People in Wales are making sure that what you have done in exposing war crimes is known to as many as possible.

Solidarity from Cardiff squatters.

I hope your spirit is well and you are staying strong… You are an inspiration and give me hope for humanity… Speak nothing but the truth. Don’t let the bastards get you down…

You are an inspiration to many! Do not give up hope for there are good people all over the world…

Hi Bradley. We’re holding an event raising awareness of your case at our social centre here in Cardiff today. Hope you’re keeping strong and know we’re all thinking of you. Don’t let them break you… UNTIL ALL ARE FREE.

I will be thinking of you and helping to tell people about your story. Many people are and will be fighting for your freedom.

Heard about your plight a while ago… keep your head up and spirits strong.

We’ve got a still, strong part in all of us. You’ve helped raise awareness for issues that so many people had forgotten even existed… giving people information is such a strong, amazing thing to do… so many people have you in their minds. You can stay strong.

When you’re pissing off the bad guys, chances are you are doing something right. Fuck these imperialist warmongers. We’re on the side of everyone – like you – who speaks the truth. Stay strong Bradley.

As LGBT persons we were saddened to hear of your treatment as a gay man in the military and we hope that gay rights will improve in America. Keep fighting and stay strong. Solidarity from Wales and Egypt.

All people seeking the freedom in the world proud of you. I am from Syria and we strongly respect your human action… Keep going. We are all with you.

You have done a great justice to the people of America and the victims of war. Your donation is remembered and recorded. We will support you.

Don’t let the bastards grind you. They’ve got all the cards except the hearts and minds of a few people brave enough to speak to others…

I am so proud of you for the amazing thing that you have done… Good luck, we are behind you.

You have the admiration and gratitude of all who still care for the truth. The politicians claim to fight wars for truth and freedom… yet they call it a criminal offence when someone exposes their sins and lies.

I’ve only just heard about you and your story and I want you to know I support you.

Lots of support for you around the world. A welcome in Wales when you’re free.

I admire you for your strength and dedication… Please don’t give up hope. There are a lot of people in the world who appreciate what you are doing/have done. Plaudits and best wishes.

You’re a hero and an inspiration and I am proud to have had you live in the same country as myself. Don’t let them get you down. Whatever the state says, the people of the world are behind you.. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for you. I salute you and stand in solidarity with you.

Free Bradley Manning – or the sky’s the limit! Solidarity!

In the face of such oppression the only way to combat it is to shine the light of truth. Stay strong. With love and admiration.

What happened to free speech?

You’re a brave man.

Exposing war crimes is not a crime. You’re a hero!

There never was a good war or a bad peace.

Speaking the truth is not a crime.

TRUTH WILL SET US FREE.

13 Dec: British war veterans demand release of Bradley Manning

Read the report here.

17 Dec: Rally and speakers at US Embassy

Photo: Dan Viesnik

Read the report here.

17 Dec: On the fence at Menwith Hill US Spy Base in North Yorkshire

Read the report here.

16-19 Dec: Four days of solidarity in Wrexham and Cardiff

Read the report here.