On February 23, international protests of Bradley Manning's 1,000th day in jail without trial

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Nathan Fuller

Writer & editor for the Bradley Manning Support Network

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February 16th, 2013 10:52 AM

On February 23, international protests of Bradley Manning's 1,000th day in jail without trial

PFC Bradley Manning has been in jail awaiting trial for nearly 1,000 days for exposing war crimes, corruption, and widespread abuse. Manning, a 25-year-old Army intelligence analyst, faces a potential life sentence for passing classified documents to WikiLeaks. He said he hoped the release, which included the 'Collateral Murder' video, previously uncounted civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, and several more grave abuses, would bring about "worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms."

When Manning returns to court in Fort Meade, MD, for a pretrial hearing from February 26 to March 1, Judge Denise Lind will rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss charges for lack of a speedy trial.

As defense lawyer David Coombs said in the motion, "PFC Manning’s statutory and constitutional speedy trial rights have been trampled upon with impunity.” In court, he laid out the ways in which the government has made an "absolute mockery" of Manning's right to a speedy trial by violating the 5^th and 6^th Constitutional Amendments, Rule for Court Martial 707, and Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 10. Prosecutors were supposed to arraign Manning within 120 days but took well over 600. They’re also supposed to remain actively diligent throughout the proceedings, but Coombs has showed substantial periods of their inactivity and needless delay. Manning’s due process rights have been clearly violated, and the only legal remedy is to dismiss charges. Judge Lind could dismiss charges with prejudice, if she determines the government intentionally delayed Manning’s trial, which would set the young Army private free. She could also dismiss without prejudice, which would allow the government to simply retry the case and restart the speedy trial clock. If she dismisses the motion altogether, she will condone the government’s unconstitutional delays and the deprivation of Manning’s due process rights. Manning would then proceed to trial, currently scheduled to start June 3, 2013 -- over three years after his arrest in May 2010.

We’ll also hear Manning’s updated plea offer, in which he’s expected to offer to plead guilty to several lesser-included offenses, which could carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.

"This allows Bradley to accept responsibility for exposing these documents to public scrutiny, and debate the merits and impact of these releases, while fighting the most serious charges against him at court martial," noted Jeff Paterson, project director of the Bradley Manning Support Network.

The government can still charge as planned, including using the Espionage Act and UCMJ Article 104, alleging Manning indirectly “aided the enemy” simply because he knew Al Qaeda could access WikiLeaks. By the time that pretrial hearing begins, Manning will have been in jail for over 1,000 days. In response to this historic abuse, supporters around the country and around the world are planning demonstrations, rallies, and marches on February 23. From California, to Florida, to Italy, to Germany, supporters of PFC Manning will make their protests known.

U.S. Events

Tucson, AZ Feb 23, 11am-5pm

Tempe, AZ Feb 23, 5:30-6:30pm

Montrose, CA Feb 23, 5:30-7pm

Los Angeles, CA (contact noahjwolf@gmail.com for details)

San Francisco, CA Feb 23, 1-4pm

San Diego, CA Feb 23, 7-9pm

Denver, CO Feb 23, 12-3:30pm

Washington, DC Feb 24, 6:30-9pm

Ft. Lauderdale, FL Feb 23, 12-1:30pm

Pensacola, FL Feb 23, 4-5pm

Tallahassee, FL Feb 23, 12-1pm