Blowing the whistle on war crimes is not a crime!

According to the Center for Research on Globalization*,  "enshrined in the US Army Subject Schedule No. 27-1 is 'the obligation to report all violations of the law of war.'" As well, "Section 499 of the Army Field Manual states, 'Every violation of the law of war is a war crime.'" As well, Manning acted in accordance with the globally-binding Geneva Conventions, by revealing multiple instances of war crimes. The Center for Research on Globalization adds, "the Uniform Code of Military Justice sets forth the duty of a service member to obey lawful orders. But that duty includes the concomitant duty to disobey unlawful orders. An order not to reveal classified information that contains evidence of war crimes would be an unlawful order. Manning had a legal duty to reveal the commission of war crimes."

Whereas Manning is being given up to 90 years for following the law in reporting these abuses, no charges have been filed against the American soldiers in the Apache helicopter who shot and killed the civilians in the "Collateral Murder" video which Manning made public. As well, research published by U.S. filmmaker Michael Moore** provides a dismal record of actual sentences against recently prosecuted war criminals. Averaged out, his reportings conclude the average modern war-criminal only serves approximately 1 year for the crimes they commit, compared to the 90 year sentence that threatens Manning! This is vile, offensive on a human level, and shows the inherent injustice of Manning's prosecution.

These trends must be reversed if the United States is to expect any credit to be attributed to the claim that we are a nation governed by the "Rule of Law." The unnecessary charges filed against Manning under the Espionage Act should be dropped immidiately, unless the government is prepared to make the argument that the "operation" and "success" of the armed forces hinges upon our ability to commit and cover-up war crimes.

Acquit Manning, not War Criminals! Prosecute War Crimes, not Whistle-blowers!

We the undersigned urge you to do the right thing and relieve Manning of the extreme, unnecessary, 'example-making' charges that now face her. Her trial has been neither speedy nor fair, and she has already served 3 years simply waiting for the court martial to be convened. Enough is enough. Aquit Chelsea Manning!

* Marjorie Cohn, "Bradley Manning's Legal Duty to Report War Crimes,"Centre for Research on Globalization; http://www.globalresearch.ca/bradley-mannings-legal-duty-to-expose-war-crimes/5337493

** Michael Moore, "What Bradley Manning's Sentence Will Tell Us About Our Military Justice System"; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/what-bradley-mannings-sen_b_3679015.html