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| A song or two for Bradley from Dave Rovics |
By
Theo Russell
DAYS
BEFORE the start of Bradley Manning’s formal court martial, 250 people gathered
outside the United States embassy in London to demand his release as a
conscientious whistle-blower after more than three years’ imprisonment.
Ben
Griffin, a former SAS soldier who fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq, refused
to return to Iraq for reasons of conscience and went on to form Veterans for
Peace UK, told the protest: “Young people going to fight in Afghanistan can see
that Nato’s war is leading more and more Afghanis to join the Taliban, and
soldiers are refusing to go on patrol and organising unofficial local truces
with the Taliban.
“Bradley
Manning is the most significant resister within the military in the last 10
years. He saw that what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan wasn’t just a few
bad apples as our governments tell us, but a systematic policy.
“We
need to start supporting these people who are opposing wars on the streets. We
will encourage more resistance within the military and we will stop these
wars.”
Former
navy medic Michael Lyons of Veterans for Peace, described how he refused to
obey orders to deploy to Afghanistan after reading information leaked by
Bradley Manning. He then decided to educate himself about the war.
He
served nine months in prison as a conscientious objector. Veteran human rights
campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “Manning sought to make the US government
accountable to the people so that they know the truth.
“He
is one in a long line of good soldiers who refuse to follow orders when those
orders are wrong”.
The
meeting was also addressed by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who warned of
the threat to freedom of the press if Bradley Manning is convicted.
Former
British ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray, and speakers from many other
organisations addressed the rally.
Protest
songs were provided by American singer and songwriter Dave Rovics, John McClean
and Roland Gianstefani.
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