Stephen Durham, the Freedom Socialist Party nominee for President in the 2012 general election, drove up from New York for the Thursday rush hour rally calling for Bradley Manning’s freedom.
Outside of the Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building and Courthouse on Main Street, activists blew whistles and chanted “whistle blowers all are we, set Bradley Manning free!”
The recent opening of Pfc. Bradley Manning’s court-martial has increased protests nationwide. He is being prosecuted for “aiding the enemy” and could receive a life sentence.
Manning shared documents later published on the Wikileaks website. Queers Without Borders, the Hartford group that organized the rally, said Manning’s contribution was drawing attention to the civilian casualties in Iraq, along with other human rights abuses.
Manning is being called a “gay hero.” Queers Without Borders say that he is the “only gay serviceperson to be nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
After the rally, the group moved indoors to the Hartford Public Library for a an information session about the Manning case.
People are being asked to march for Bradley Manning at the NYC Pride Parade on June 30th.
Richard
Thanks Kerri for posting this. Where would we be if it weren’t for your coverage not only on the action at the Federal Building but on many events and news stories that the mainstream media doesn’t cover. Probably just as good sometimes as they are so fluffy the way they do things.
We left some more booklets that Bernardo did on facts about Bradley Manning and the case at La Paloma. The booklets are very good for a reference and QWB’s statement on Why Bradley Manning is a Gay Hero explains him and what he did in a historical perspective and how we outside of the gay and lesbian mainstream will continue to stand in support. We are forming a contingent to go down to NYC’s Gay Pride and marching with many others in support of Bradley Manning. We will publish more information on furbirdsqueerly when it is available. Thanks also of the link to the NYC march if any readers are interested.
This case could very well be a turning point in if or not americkkka becomes a true police state and frightens folks into silence all brought to us by Obama, his supporters and the evil twins of politicks in this country. Queers Without Borders joins with their queer and straight comrades saying DROP ALL CHARGES!! FREE BRADLEY MANNING NOW!!!