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Bradley Manning Minute

On April 23, 2011 South Central Yearly Meeting approved the following minute:

We, the South Central Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), feel it is our moral and religious duty to speak out on behalf of Private First Class Bradley Manning. For more than three centuries, Quakers have borne witness to the mistreatment of prisoners, and we strongly believe that Private Manning is the victim of mistreatment.Since July, 2010, he has been incarcerated in military prison under harsh conditions without being formally charged or tried. Private Manning is accused of leaking classified information, including the video “Collateral Murder.” While people may have different views on the ethics of whistle-blowing and the apparent misdeeds of the US military, we contend that the treatment of Private Manning is, in any case, unjust and reprehensible. We appeal to the conscience of members of the American military and the executive branch to recognize Private Manning’s basic human rights.

On April 20, 2011, PFC Bradley Manning was transferred to Fort Leavenworth (Midwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility), KS, which means he’s now in SYCM’s “back yard.” Yearly Meeting witness to Bradley Manning will hopefully include some Friends joining demonstrations; writing to Bradley; creating a list of support organizations; creating a list of supports of our own; writing letters to our political leaders and to prison people; and exploring ways that SCYM Friends can use their gifts and expertise in this matter.