Defend Chelsea Manning

A quick word about Chelsea Manning (formerly Bradley) who has been sent back to prison for not testifying to a US Grand Jury against Julian Assange and Wikileaks. I never planned to say anything just felt I needed to say something.

But there's more I should have said.  People can get their organizations, churches, school clubs, and most importantly their union locals to pass resolutions condemning the US government's actions and that she be released.

As I say in the clip above, if you have not seen the video Collateral Murder do so. This is why the US state apparatus was intent on ridding itself of this person as she courageously made it possible for the rest of us to see it.   Despite all the lies and rumor about Manning's role as a whistleblower and that it hurt US troops, this was not the case. They want Assange primarily because they want Wikileaks shut down. This is about knowing the truth, sharing the truth with the masses of the people. All the rest is phony.

If you are in a union, introduce a resolution condemning the US government in pursuing Chelsea Manning and Wikileaks; get it sent out to the higher bodies and anyone else that will take it up. Getting it passed is almost secondary to having it discussed. The power can be tamed simply by making an issue public and debating it, especially if working class people are debating it.

This is a free speech issue and its important we support those on the front lines. The other issue I think of as I write is that the initial persecution of her was also to warn working class people and their allies in the military to keep their mouths shut.