Center for Constitutional Rights Condemns Manning Sentence, Should Have Never Been Prosecuted

[Catherina]

The CCR ?@theCCR 33s

#Manning’s barbaric treatment & sentence, a testament to lengths US gov will go to silence those who dare shine a light on its wrongdoing

https://twitter.com/theCCR/status/370220252065320961

Press Release

Center for Constitutional Rights Condemns Manning Sentence, Whistleblower Should Have Never Been Prosecuted

August 21, 2013 – Today, in response to the sentencing of Pfc. Bradley Manning, the Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement.

We are outraged that a whistleblower and a patriot has been sentenced on a conviction under the Espionage Act. The government has stretched this archaic and discredited law to send an unmistakable warning to potential whistleblowers and journalists willing to publish their information. We can only hope that Manning’s courage will continue to inspire others who witness state crimes to speak up.

This show trial was a frontal assault on the First Amendment, from the way the prosecution twisted Manning’s actions to blur the distinction between whistleblowing and spying to the government’s tireless efforts to obstruct media coverage of the proceedings. It is a travesty of justice that Manning, who helped bring to light the criminality of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, is being punished while the alleged perpetrators of the crimes he exposed are not even investigated. Every aspect of this case sets a dangerous precedent for future prosecutions of whistleblowers – who play an essential role in democratic government by telling us the truth about government wrongdoing – and we fear for the future of our country in the wake of this case.

We must channel our outrage and continue building political pressure for Manning’s freedom. President Obama should pardon Bradley Manning, and if he refuses, a presidential pardon must be an election issue in 2016.

The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is a non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.

http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/ccr-condemns-manning-sentence%2C-whistleblower-should-have-never-been-prosecuted

[MotherPetrie]

1. K&R. Bush and Cheney are high-fiving each other today. Despite what Cheney says about

Obama (at least in public), Obama still eagerly does his dirty work for him.

[limpyhobbler]

2. miscarriage of justice.

sad day.

[LWolf]

3. You know Obama isn't going to pardon him.

When the presidential primaries arrive, can we get all the candidates to answer the direct question:

"As POTUS, will you pardon Bradley Manning?"

[Catherina]

5. I won't vote for anyone who won't answer that with a quick YES n/t

[truebluegreen]

7. +1

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. They will not ask the question

By 2016 it will be manning who?

[LWolf]

10. Unfortunately, you're probably right. nt

[geek tragedy]

4. Those who want the pardon question asked at primary debates will be sorely disappointed

at the answers given.

Not even those challenging Hillary from the left will depart much from her on that one.

[G_j]

6. K&R !

[michigandem58]

9. Who? n/t

[liberal_at_heart]

11. K&R