Feb. 6th at 7pm at Coffee Strong

Bradley Manning, a 24-year-old Army intelligence analyst, faces file in prison for allegedly sharing the “Collateral Murder” video of a US helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq with the WikiLeaks website. Bradley has also been charged with blowing the whistle on the “Iraq War Logs”, the “Afghan Diaries”, and “Gitmo Files”, and embarrassing US State Department cables. All of the documents released have added significantly to public knowledge of war crimes, civilian casualties, government corruption, and the over-classification of information. No one has been harmed and the information has helped fuel pro-democratic protests globally.

“God knows what happens now. Hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms… I want people to see the truth… because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public.” –a discussion attributed to Army PFC Bradley Manning

Bradley Manning Support Network campaign organizer Jeff Paterson will provide a multi-media presentation to include:

• An overview of US v. Bradley Manning

• His report from the Fort Meade courtroom where Bradley had his first court hearing after 18 months of pre-trial confinement, while hundreds of supporters marched on base December 16-22.

• Updates on the international grassroots campaign.

• An opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation to Bradley’s defense fund, which in addition to supporting public education efforts is responsible for 100% of Bradley legal expenses.

• Introduction to the new Courage to Resist book, “About Face: Military Resisters Turn Against War”—from Army Lt. Ehren Watada to PFC Bradley Manning, and two dozen other stories. Published by PM Press, September 2011.

In August 1990, Marine artilleryman Corporal Jeff Paterson became the first of many US military personnel to refuse to fight in Iraq. Today, Jeff is the project director of Courage to Resist, an Oakland-based organization dedicated to supporting GI war resisters and conscientious objectors, and helps lead the campaign to support Army PFC Bradley Manning.

JBLM moral low as lockdown continues. click image to watch.

Hundreds of thousands in equipment stolen. click image to watch

A monthly weapons inventory last week revealed equipment totaling $600,000 – sights, optics and scopes – are missing.

As the U.S. Army investigates the incident, the base’s soldiers and officers have been restricted to certain areas where they’re allowed to have visitors, but can’t make phone calls without permission.

Jorge Gonzalez, a JBLM veteran who now works to help soldiers, says the restrictions are worsening morale that has already suffered from overseas deployments.

“And now they’re coming back to being harassed more or on base by their chain of command that they’re all basically known or thought of as possible suspects,” he said.

Gonzalez supports March Forward’s online petition drive calling for an end to the lockdown.

“They’ve been locked down since Wednesday, so it’s pretty over-reactionary for just some lasers and scopes,” said Gonzalez.

The Army says the missing equipment disappeared some time between Dec. 14 and Jan. 3 when many of the soldiers were out on leave for the holidays.

Officials say the restrictions will remain in effect until the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division determines it has exhausted all sources of information among the men and women currently being held on base.

Anyone with information on the theft is urged to call the CID at 253-967-3151 or the Military police at 253-967-7112 immediately.

Additional links: Kirotv.com