If you don't live in the Bay Area join the over 300 people on line.
Free Bradley Mannning Rally and Event
Featuring:
* Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern
* Col. Anne Right, Diplomat in Afghanistan
* Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistle-blower
* Tom Hayden, author and activist
* Carl Davison, US Marine/Army vet of Guantanamo Bay, Africa, and Asia
* Wikileaks "Collateral Murder" video screening
* Aimee Allison, author and KPFA Morning Show Host
Presented by Courage to Resist, with the help of Veterans for Peace-Bay Area
Chapter, National Lawyers Guild Bay Area Military Law Panel, CodePink, War
Resisters League-West, Iraq Veterans Against the War-Bay Area, and BAY-Peace
The Bradley Manning defense fund is hosted by Courage to Resist
(http://www.couragetoresist.org) in collaboration with the Bradley Manning Support
Network (http://www.bradleymanning.org).
For more info, or to
make a tax-deductible donate, please contact Courage to Resist at
510-488-3559 or courage(at)riseup.net
"Political language...is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind."
George Orwell
Legal Update
From Bradley’s civilian attorney, David E. Coombs:
"I spoke with PFC Bradley Manning today. I let him know that so far the defense has received $10,000 from Courage to Resist; $5,000 from Mr. Michael Moore; and $860.00 from direct donations. Brad is aware of the fact that events are happening from today through the 19th. He has asked me to express how very thankful that he is for the support that he has received so far. Brad also told me that he looks forward to the day that he can express his gratitude in person to those that have rallied to his defense."
We still need to raise $20,000 for the legal defense. Courage to Resist is in the process of transferring another $15,000 to Mr. Coombs at this time, and has another $15,000 set aside for legal fees.
Julian Assange informed me a week ago that he has directed WikiLeaks‘ non-profit agent to begin the process of making a substantial contribution to the legal effort. Taking into account these pledges, we still need to raise approximately $20,000 of the estimated $100,000 legal bill.
Bradley’s case going forward:
* Mr. Coombs has filed multiple motions on behalf of PFC Manning to ensure that at every stage of the process Brad’s rights are being protected.
* The case is currently on hold until a Rule for Courts-Martial 706 board can be completed. The 706 board is designed to ensure that PFC Manning is in good mental health. This type of board is common whenever it is believed that a soldier charged with an offense is under extreme emotional and mental stress. The board will likely begin its work in early October and will take about six weeks. The defense has filed a motion to have its own forensic psychiatrist sit in on the board.
* Once the board is complete, the government will likely move forward with an Article 32 Investigation (pre-trial hearing). At the Article 32 investigation, the defense will be able to call witnesses on PFC Manning’s behalf and to cross-examine the government’s witnesses. The Article 32 will likely take place sometime in early 2011.
* A court martial could take place 2-4 months after the Article 32 hearing.
Background on Mr. Coombs:
The lead defense counsel is David E. Coombs. Mr. Coombs is a civilian defense counsel with over 14 years of experience in the military justice system. Mr. Coombs was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves. In his reserve capacity, he teaches evidence, criminal procedure, and trial advocacy at the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.
Jeff Paterson
Bradley Manning Support Network, Steering Committee
Courage to Resist, Project Director