Green Party of California backs protests at Sen. Feinstein's home and office, urges investigation of mistreatment of accused WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE

SACRAMENTO - The Green Party of California this week said it supports actions - including pickets at her office and home - to pressure U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to investigate human rights violations against accused WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning, who is charged with leaking information about U.S. war crimes and failed foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans, anti-war and human rights groups have presented documents - delivered to Feinstein at her office this week - which provide evidence Manning has been mistreated and his constitutional rights violated. He has been held in solitary confinement for more than eight months, without trial. He reportedly is not allowed to have any meaningful exercise, and his sleep is regularly interrupted.
 
"Sen. Feinstein, and the ruling Democratic Party in the U.S. Senate have a duty to protect Bradley Manning's rights, and all of our rights. We would urge Sen. Feinstein to investigate his treatment, and work for his immediate release pending trial," added Hank Chapot, GPCA archivist and co-founder.
 
"The people of California voted overwhelmingly for Democrats in the last two elections because they promised to end the wars and torture at Guantanamo. Not only does Guantanamo remain open but now an American - who some consider a hero if he indeed leaked truths about the wars - is having his constitutional rights violated," said Laura Wells, the Green Party's CA gubernatorial candidate.
 
"We deplore the treatment of PFC Bradley Manning. He has a right to a speedy trial and humane treatment. But he is being punished without trial, and being treated like detainees in Guantanamo, with little or no outside contact, according to his legal counsel. This is not acceptable," said Cres Vellucci, a Vietnam veteran and GPCA press secretary.
 
-30-
 
Contacts:
Laura Wells, Spokesperson, 510.504.4254, lwells@cagreens.org
Derek Iversen, Spokesperson, 323.481.8984, diversen@cagreens.org 
Cres Vellucci, Press Secretary, 916.996.9170, cvellucci@cagreens.org
 
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
County: 
San Francisco