Manning is the gay man who allegedly unleashed history's greatest trove of secret government documents - exposing U.S. war crimes in Iraq, unearthing the dirty U.S. dealings with North African dictatorships, which in turn helped spur the "Arab Spring" of popular revolts across the region, and much more.
In the person of Private Manning the peace movement has a unique opportunity to personalize the contrast between standing up for what's humane and truthful, versus the contempt that U.S. governments, both Republican and Democratic, have shown for the vast majority of the world's population. The peace movement also has a responsibility to stand by Manning, as someone who has allegedly risked far more than the rest of us in attempting to stop U.S. organized slaughter and domination of other peoples abroad.
This Sunday the Gay Liberation Network, working the Chicago Area CodePINK and World Can't Wait, has initiated a "Free Bradley Manning" contingent in Chicago's huge Gay Pride parade. "Free Bradley Manning" contingents in other cities in recent weeks have met with warm responses at similar parades.
With a half million people typically in attendance, Chicago's Pride Parade represents an important opportunity to take this work further. As a gay man until recently imprisoned at the Quantico Marine base, Manning was subjected to sexually degrading torture reminiscent in some respects to the infamous treatments meted out by U.S. occupying forces in Abu Ghraib. Public pressure ultimately forced Manning's transfer and better treatment at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
Please help continue to build this pressure by joining our contingent in the Parade. We will be meeting at 11 AM, Sunday, June 26 at the corner of Halsted Street and Diversey Parkway (just a few blocks west of the "Diversey" Brown Line el station). We strongly recommend that you do NOT drive there. If you must drive, park your vehicle near an el station and take the train the rest of the way to Diversey. Day-of cell phone contact will be 773-209-1187 (please set your phone on vibrate so that you will be able to "hear" incoming calls).
For more information, contact the Gay Liberation Network at LGBTliberation@aol.com
Want to help out more?
Go to the Facebook event and invite all of your FB friends! -- http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174375639289010
