Breaking: Activists Delivering Bradley Manning Petition Held at Quantico

[Hissyspit]

Source: Raw Story

Activists Delivering Bradley Manning Petition Held at Quantico

By Daniel Tencer
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 -- 2:35 pm

Activist reporters who tried to deliver a petition protesting Bradley Manning's treatment by the US military were blocked from seeing Manning and held against their will at Quantico on Sunday, while their cars were towed on seemingly flimsy pretenses, the reporters say.

FireDogLake blogger Jane Hamsher told her Twitter followers that she was detained at the gate to the US Marine base at Quantico when she showed up to deliver a petition signed by 42,000 people, demanding that the US military take Bradley Manning -- the alleged source of the State Department cables released by WikiLeaks -- out of solitary confinement.

"Now been here at Quantico gate for 30 min.," Hamsher tweeted early Sunday afternoon. "Will not let us leave base, holding us."

David House, a FireDogLake blogger and computer programmer who is one of very few people authorized to see Manning, reported similar issues as he arrived at Quantico on Sunday to ask Manning about conditions in the prison.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/activists-manning-held-quantico

[Solly Mack]

1. k/r

[Jumping John]

2. So that oath to uphold the constitution is at the federal agent's discretion. eom

[Hissyspit]

3. janehamsher: Quantico top brass made sure we were held until visiting hours were over & impossible

janehamsher: Quantico top brass made sure we were held until visiting hours were over & impossible 4 @DavidMHouse 2 see Manning. Message clear.

[msanthrope]

19. Too bad the car had expired plates and no proof of insurance.

Generally, one should have those before setting out on the roads.

[Raine1967]

24. Shush... People don;t like to hear that...

:sarcasm:

But, yes -- the story sounds like a manufactured incident.

[Hissyspit]

26. I heard about the proof of insurance this afternoon when the incident first began.

First thing I tweeted to Jane was questioning her about the validity of her insurance. So, I don't need to be lectured on what I "like" to hear. I reported what was going on with this incident to the best of my ability. I have gone through military gates many times in my life an since 9/11. You are NOT always checked for these things (although I've never been on Guantico. I had my insurance verified ELECTRONICALLY once. We weren't there and it is not clear and possibly not knowable if the Army had planned to look for something specific to keep them off base - in light of the delivery of the petition AND the filing by Manning's lawyer this week AND House's appearance on television AND the Amnesty International letter to Secretary Gates. Jane had been on the base previously.

Anyway, at least someone is TRYING to visit Manning. But, you know, whatever.

[Raine1967]

29. IT's not "you know, whatever"

they are 2 different stories. She did not follow protocol. When it comes to military bases, I prefer protocol.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5729308_onto-military-base.html

[Hissyspit]

31. Government Admits Brig Commander Improperly Put Bradley Manning on Suicide Watch

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=265044&mesg_id=265044

By: emptywheel Monday January 24, 2011 5:15 pm

The government has admitted to MSNBC that the Brig Commander at Quantico improperly put Bradley Manning on suicide watch last week.

The officials told NBC News, however, that a U.S. Marine commander did violate procedure when he placed Manning on “suicide watch” last week.

Military officials said Brig Commander James Averhart did not have the authority to place Manning on suicide watch for two days last week, and that only medical personnel are allowed to make that call.

The official said that after Manning had allegedly failed to follow orders from his Marine guards. Averhart declared Manning a “suicide risk.” Manning was then placed on suicide watch, which meant he was confined to his cell, stripped of most of his clothing and deprived of his reading glasses — anything that Manning could use to harm himself. At the urging of U.S. Army lawyers, Averhart lifted the suicide watch.

[Raine1967]

23. Hamsher had expired plates.

and her car was towed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/23/AR2011012303911.html

Two backers of a jailed Army private suspected of passing classified documents to the WikiLeaks website say their car was towed after they arrived at a Marine base to visit him.


Quantico spokesman Col. Thomas V. Johnson says the car was towed after the pair could not provide proof of insurance and guards found the vehicle's license plates had expired. He says both weren't detained.
==========================================================================================

[sabrina 1]

32. What has that got to do with stopping House from his scheduled

visit with Manning? If that is the case, and she did provide proof of Ins. btw, give HER a ticket, but what did it have to do with House unless he is part owner of the car?

[maryf]

4. damn

thanks for the report kr

[sabrina 1]

5. Trumped up charge against Hamsher re her car insurance.

They wouldn't accept electronic record. Then would not allow her to print it out.

If they would make this false charge just to stop them from delivering a petition, it doesn't say much for the charges they will make against Wikileaks eg.

They pretty much proved how willing they are to make false charges today.

[msanthrope]

18. Hamsher forgot to mention the expired plates , too. n/t

[Hissyspit]

6. Article 138 Complaint, Jan 19, for background:

http://www.armycourtmartialdefense.info/2011/01/article-138-complaint.html?m=1

[Hissyspit]

7. janehamsher: I hope people realize Bradley Manning has not had trial yet, hasn't confessed 2 anythin

janehamsher: I hope people realize Bradley Manning has not had trial yet, hasn't confessed 2 anything & in America is still innocent until proven guilty

[Hissyspit]

8. dupe nt

[Hissyspit]

9. Statement of Events:

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/01/23/statement-of-events-bradley-mannings-primary-visitor-detained-at-quantico/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CampaignSilo+%28Jane+Hamsher+Campaign+Silo%29

At roughly 1:00 pm, upon driving onto the base at Quantico, David House and blogger Jane Hamsher were detained by military guards. House, who is on the Quantico Brig’s visitation list, has been visiting Bradley Manning in confinement since last September.

In December 2010, House came forward with testimony that he witnessed a deterioration in Manning’s physical and mental state due to the conditions of solitary confinement. House traveled to the Quantico brig to check up on Bradley’s well-being after a week in which Manning’s lawyer filed an Article 138 complaint over Manning’s mistreatment at Quantico. House and Hamsher also planned to deliver a 42,000 signature strong petition calling for an end to the inhumane conditions that Manning is being held. Upon arriving at the main entrance at Quantico, House and Hamsher were stopped and detained by military police who provided no explanation of detainment aside from a statement from one MP that his orders to detain had “come from the top.”

From 1:00 – 1:30 MPs took their IDs and made them sign a form that they could not deviate to the brig or else they would be trespassing. At this time, one of the MPs asked for Hamsher’s auto insurance card. Hamsher attempted to produce a digital copy of the card, at which point MP Gunnery Sgt. Foster informed Hamsher that her car would be towed. House and Hamsher offered to drive away off the base but were denied, despite being detained only ten feet inside the base’s perimeter. The MPs took the Social Security numbers, phone numbers and addresses of House and Hamsher.

Around 1:40 the tow truck arrived and MPs instructed House and Hamsher to leave their vehicle, informing them that their vehicle would be searched. At 2:00 pm House observed military officers arriving and entering the MP outpost which oversaw his detainment. House expressed concern that he would miss Manning’s visiting hours but was informed that he could neither exit nor move forward to the base. No explanation for House and Hamsher’s detainment was provided until at 2:50 when they were informed they could leave the base. They were detained for two hours up until Manning’s visitation time period was set to expire at 3:00.

MORE

[JackRiddler]

10. A kick for Manning ... & Hamsher!

[sabrina 1]

15. They never got in to see him.

This is scary, especially for his safety. If they are so blatant in their treatment towards people like Hamsher who they know will be broadcasting it to the world, what are they doing to Manning?

I certainly will not believe anything they say from now on.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Angry Dragon]

12. A Police State is upon us

It is very sad that the American people have lost their freedoms and rights
How soon will all of us be asked for papers as we go about our daily lives??

Gates is trying to abuse and torture this man until he breaks.
Perhaps they don't really care if they convict him, just to hold him up
as an example to others the treatment they could expect.

[Cid_B]

21. What have we come to!?

When a man can't violate his security clearance and blatantly violate UCMJ and walk around like any one else?! The injustice!

[Angry Dragon]

22. That is just a very, very, small piece of the puzzle

That that was the only thing that was happening
then I would totally agree with you.
It is not so I will stay with my opinion

[annm4peace]

13. we need to make sure and call our Senators and Reps.

demand Bradley Mannings release and condemn the action taken by Commander at Quantico.

and if able donate 5.00 or more to Mannings Defense fund. That should really piss off the elite.

[Catherina]

14. Not that I needed convincing we were out of control but damn... Rec'd. n/t

[Kurovski]

16. K&R

Oh damn.

[leftstreet]

17. K&R

[madville]

20. Solitary sounds better than general population

I would rather be by myself than in general population with violent offenders (murderers, rapists, felony assault, etc). Has he said he wants to be out of solitary?

[snot]

25. Please read a full description of his conditions from one of the few allowed to visit him.

http://my.firedoglake.com/blog/2010/12/23/bradley-manning-speaks-about-his-conditions/

[Abq_Sarah]

30. He believes

He'll get to use the GI bill to go to college?

He's not living in reality, is he?

[EFerrari]

28. There was a rally for him outside of the base last week.

And in response, they put him on "suicide watch" against his doctor's advice. They stripped him down to his boxers and took his glasses away. And today they found an excuse to deny his only visitor.

[EFerrari]

27. RELEASE: Military steps up retaliation against accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower

RELEASE: Military steps up retaliation against accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower with arbitrary “suicide watch”, followed by detainment of approved visitor
2011-01-24 No Comments


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA:
Kevin Zeese
Bradley Manning Support Network
[e-mail]
[phone]

Military steps up retaliation against accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower with arbitrary “suicide watch”, followed by detainment of approved visitor

QUANTICO, VA, 23 January 2011 — Military officials at Marine Corps Base Quantico today increased the isolation of accused WikiLeaks whistle-blower U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning by detaining Manning’s friend and regular visitor David House at the base entrance until visiting hours were over. House was accompanied by Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake.com, a website that has collected 42,000 signatures on a petition calling for improvements to the conditions of Manning’s detention, which constitute extreme and illegal pre-trial punishment.

“The Bradley Manning Support Network is dismayed that Brad was denied contact with his only regular visitor besides his attorney,” founder Mike Gogulski stated. “Immediately following a rally by more than 150 supporters at Quantico last week, Brad was put on suicide watch for two days for reasons his counsel could only conclude were punitive. He was stripped of all of his clothing except his boxer shorts and his glasses were taken away. It seems to me that the Marine command is now reacting in the worst possible way to rising pressure on them.”

David House has been making regular trips from his home in the Boston area to visit Manning at the Marine Corps brig since he was transferred there from Kuwait last summer. While detained at the base gate, House posted to Twitter that “one of the many MPs around the car says his orders to stop us come from on high.” House and Hamsher were held on entry to the base for nearly the entire period of visiting hours, repeatedly demanded to provide information and documents the MPs already had, and threatened with arrest. Hamsher’s car was towed away under the pretext that she lacked proof of insurance, despite having presented a digital copy.

At Firedoglake.com, founder Jane Hamsher wrote: “There is no doubt in my mind that the primary objective of everything that happened today was to keep Bradley Manning from having the company of his only remaining visitor.”

“This is a bizarre action by the Marines. I think they see the growing support for Bradley Manning, they see more and more people realizing that he is being treated unfairly, and that as the facts of the case come out more and more people see that he is a patriot and not a traitor,” said Kevin Zeese, Director of Voters for Peace and member of the Bradley Manning Support Network’s steering committee.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week, Amnesty International stated that “the restrictions imposed in PFC Manning’s case appear to be unnecessarily harsh and punitive.” The letter also suggests that Manning’s confinement is in contravention of international law, and calls upon the military to conduct a review.

House intends to return to Quantico next weekend to once again attempt to visit Manning and to deliver the petition.

In addition to petitions and public protests across the nation, the Bradley Manning Support Network has asked supporters to speak out against Manning’s inhumane treatment by contacting officials at Quantico. The Support Network encourages concerned individuals to phone Quantico public affairs at [phone], to write to base commander Colonel Choike at 3250 Catlin Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134, and to write to brig commander CWO4 Averhart at 3247 Elrod Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134. We are asking that Bradley Manning’s human rights be respected while he remains in custody; specifically, that he be allowed social interaction with other inmates, that he be allowed meaningful physical exercise, that approved visitors be allowed to see him without interrogation and harassment, and that the “Prevention of Injury” order (the military’s basis for the extreme pre-trial punishment regime) be lifted.

# # #

Read more: http://www.bradleymanning.org/16067/release-military-steps-up-retaliation-against-accused-wikileaks-whistle-blower-with-arbitrary-suicide-watch-followed-by-detainment-of-approved-visitor/#ixzz1Erq3K1b9