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www.bradleymanning.org
December 4, 2012

Last night, David Coombs, defense attorney in the WikiLeaks case, US. v. Bradley Manning, gave his first public presentation to an audience of over 100 at All Souls Church in Washington DC. In addition to being defense attorney in one of the most controversial and important ongoing cases today, Coombs was described as being a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves having done 12 years of active duty, with 15 years experience practicing and teaching law. Additional speakers included Emma Cape and Kevin Zeese of the Bradley Manning Support Network, Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Jesselyn Radack of the Government Accountability Project, and Marsha Coleman-Adebayo of the National Whistleblower Center.

Mr. Coombs spoke on Bradley’s mistreatment at Quantico, Bradley’s personality and future dreams, Mr. Coombs’ own opinion of the military, and how having supporters worldwide inspired him and gave him hope. Bradley Manning spent the first nine months of his pretrial incarceration in a 6×8 ft cell in solitary conditions described as “degrading and inhuman” by the UN Chief Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez. Regarding Mr. Coombs’ lengthy ongoing motion to have Bradley’s charges dismissed due to ‘unlawful pretrial punishment,’ he explained, “I’m enjoying my opportunity to cross-examine those who had Bradley Manning in those conditions for nine months.”

The audience was particularly excited to hear Coombs talk about Bradley as a person. Coombs said that Brad is one of the smartest young men he’d ever met, who does things from the heart, and relayed a conversation he had about Bradley’s future goals: ”And he told me that his dream would be to go to college, go into public service, and perhaps one day, run for public office. And I asked Brad, why would he want to do that? And he said, ‘I want to make a difference. I want to make a difference in this world.’”

While Coombs acknowledged he has been intimidated facing off against a government prosecution with “unlimited resources and personnel,” he relayed that actions by supporters gave him hope. He also acknowledged the political significance of his case, “It is by far the most important military case, but it’s a case that is significant for all of us,” says Coombs. “We live in a country that is built on freedom of speech. We live in a country that is built on government accountability and informed citizens.” He said that Bradley is “excited” his case is finally going forward.

Original Announcement, Below:

December 3, 2012

Washington, DC
6pm doors/refreshments – 7pm event

All Souls Church Unitarian
1500 Harvard Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
(2 blocks from the Columbia Hts Metro Station, Yellow/Green lines; also near the S2, S4, H8 and 42 bus lines)

On December 3, 2012, Army PFC Bradley Manning’s civilian defense lawyer David Coombs will make his first ever public appearance to provide an overview of pending defense motions before the court and other facts regarding U.S. v. Manning. Mr. Coombs is expected to focus on the unlawful pretrial punishment that PFC Manning was subjected to for nine months while at the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia – the subject of international outrage and a UN investigation. The government’s denial of Bradley Manning’s right to a speedy trial will also be before the military court. Accused military whistle-blower and Nobel Peace Prize nominee PFC Manning has been in prison for over 900 days. His court martial is currently scheduled to begin February 4, 2013.

Thanks to the release of the documents in question, American journalists and citizens have a far greater window into the reality of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and secret corporate influence on foreign policy. While no specific harm resulted from the release of this information, PFC Manning faces life in military prison if convicted.

A $5 to $10 suggested donation at the door will be collected to cover event expenses. The event will also feature brief presentations from Bradley Manning Support Network spokespeople Emma Cape and whistle-blower Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, and an appeal from David House in support of Bradley Manning’s defense fund.

Media are welcome to record Mr. Coombs’ presentation. This event will also be live-streamed at bradleymanning.org. We ask that you consider organizing a group viewing of the presentation. Go here to register, if you wish to host a public screening.

This handicap accessible event is hosted by the Bradley Manning Support Network, with the support of:

Center on Conscience & War
CODEPINK: Women for Peace
Courage to Resist
DC Metro Science for the People
Dorothy Day Catholic Worker – DC
Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace Committee
International CURE
National CURE
National Lawyers Guild
Peace Action Montgomery
Positive Force
Veterans for Peace – DC
Veterans for Peace – National
Washington Peace Center
Witness Against Torture
Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom – DC
World Can’t Wait

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thisdayinwikileaks
December 3, 2012

In his first ever presentation, attorney David Coombs speaks about the case of his client, Bradley Manning. He is preceded by Emma Cape of the Bradley Manning Support Network and Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights, who represents WikiLeaks and Julian Assange.

The event was held at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington DC, 3 December 2012.

For more information on the event, see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/activism/exclusive-presentation

Contributed by Alexandra Bruce

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