This blog has been established to provide space for stories, comments, and reflections on old North Quincy, your thoughts or mine. And for all those who have bled Raider red.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Bradley's third birthday in prison. Help raise funds
for his upcoming court martial.
Dear Friend of Bradley Manning,
This Monday, Bradley Manning turned 25, celebrating his third birthday in
prison while awaiting trial for releasing important documents to the public via
WikiLeaks. The government has delayed Brad’s court martial for over two years.
But now we have big news: his court marital is expected to start in March
2013. We’re writing today because we need your help to raise enough money for
Brad’s trial expenses. We've had a generous donor offer to match the first
$10,000 donated in December. Please make a donation so we can ensure Bradley Manning has the best
defense possible when he goes to court.
We just finished a major hearing in Maryland. For the first time, Brad’s
lawyer, David Coombs, presented evidence that showed the abusive conditions Brad
was held in for eleven months.
In court, Coombs showed that Brad was kept on enforced “suicide watch,”
against the recommendations of psychiatrists. This included solitary confinement
with no access to sunlight, eyeglasses and clothing taken away, and even extreme
humiliation such as being forced to stand nude for morning inspection. As Coombs
stated:
"Brad's treatment at Quantico will forever be etched, I believe,
in our nation's history, as a disgraceful moment in time. Not only was it stupid
and counterproductive. It was criminal.”
Thanks to your support - financial and otherwise - we’ve helped fund the
legal defense that allowed all of this evidence of torturous treatment to be
submitted in pretrial hearings, giving Brad a real chance at seeing justice.
But the court martial will be our toughest battle yet – weeks of
cross-examinations, evidence, and testimony will be presented. We are expecting
this trial to last far longer than a normal court martial, potentially lasting
for three or four months.
For
more information about the defense fund click
here.
Just to cover the costs of the trial, we need to raise at least $75,000.
We’ll need even more to organize protests and public events around the trial. Can you please pitch in? Every bit helps.
It’s been a challenging and inspiring two years, and we couldn’t have done
any of it without the dedication and unstinting tenacity of our supporters.
2013 is going to be historic. Let’s make sure we have the resources –
financial and otherwise – to ensure Brad has the best defense possible.
Help us defend Bradley Manning – and the right of the public to know the
truth – by making a donation today.
Thank you for all that you do,
Loraine Reitman Co-founder and steering committee member, Bradley
Manning Support Network
PS We’re a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Help us continue to cover
100% of Bradley's legal fees! Donate today.
No comments:
Post a Comment