Published: December 20, 2011
Veteran Scott Olsen Launches Campaign to Grant Access to Bradley Manning
'Occupy Oakland' Injured Veteran Asks Defense Secretary for Private Interview Between Bradley Manning and U.N. Torture Investigator
A popular campaign on
Change.org launched by veteran Scott Olsen is calling on Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to grant the UN Special Rapporteur for Torture private access to accused Iraq War whistle-blower Bradley Manning to discuss the conditions of his detainment.
Scott Olsen, a former Marine in the Iraq War who was critically injured by police officers during the Occupy Oakland protests, is leading the campaign on Change.org.
"Bradley Manning has been held in detention for a year and a half without a trial," said Olsen. "I served my country as a US Marine in Iraq. It pains me to think that fellow Marines were ordered to effectively torture a soldier who, by blowing the whistle on the killing of innocent civilians in Iraq, helped end that war. Many veterans want to know about these conditions and I expect hundreds of them will join this campaign."
Bradley Manning was arrested in 2010 and charged with crimes relating to the leak of classified US government information, including the now famous diplomatic cables. Since his detention, repeated reports have surfaced that he has been placed under sustained duress and possibly tortured. Throughout 2011, both Manning and Mendez have requested a private meeting, and the US administration has failed to grant that request.
News of the online petition campaign's success is likely to increase pressure on Panetta to grant access to Manning. Within hours of the campaign's launch, Olsen had recruited hundreds of supporters on Change.org, the world's fastest growing platform for social change.
"What these concerned citizens have accomplished in just a few days is remarkable," said Change.org Director of Organizing for Human Rights Weldon Kennedy. "With no budget and armed with only a laptop, Scott Olsen has managed to recruit more than 1,000 supporters from 15 states, the endorsement of a statewide firefighters union and the support of Lady Gaga. Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them, and it has been incredible to watch Scott Olsen's campaign take off."
Manning faces charges that include violating the Espionage Act and aiding the enemy. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. An "International Day of Solidarity" took place on Saturday, December 17, Manning's birthday, in Sydney, London, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Live signature totals from Scott Olsen's campaign: http://www.change.org/petitions/leon-panetta-secretary-of-defense-grant-un-rapporteur-on-torture-juan-mendez-access-to-bradley-manning
Search News
