Another Benefit is held in Detroit, Should You Care?

Last night roughly 100 hip hop fans and political activists attended a benefit show at the Trumbullplex in Detroit. The show included performances by local hip-hop crews Passalacqua, United States of Mind, and MC Kadence. Proceeds went to a legal fund supporting Bradley Manning.

O.K. so what? Another small benefit was held in Detroit for some guy named Bradley Manning. But who the hell is he? Why should any of us care?

Well, remember the media uproar a little while back about those leaked secrets on Wikileaks? Yes, the very same leaks that some have argued have helped topple governments in the Middle-East. Pfc. Bradley Manning is the man behind those leaks that have exposed alleged corruption and war crimes. The penalty for shining the light on truth: death. This weak Manning was charged with aiding the enemy. Conviction on such a count can result in life in prison or the death penalty. This past week Pfc Bradley Manning was literally naked in a cell despite never displaying any violent action. Although, the story has not gained much media coverage in the States, the rest of the world is watching.... and judging.


March 6, The Sydney Morning Herald

WASHINGTON: The army private suspected of giving classified US documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks was stripped of all clothing for two nights to keep him from hurting himself in his military jail cell, a Marine Corps spokesman said.

The brig commander issued the order on the same day Private First Class Bradley Manning was hit with a new charge - aiding the enemy - which could carry the death penalty.

Private Manning's civilian lawyer, David Coombs, called the treatment degrading. He said the brig commander, Chief Warrant Officer Denise Barnes, had issued the order without consulting the brig's mental health providers. Mr Coombs has repeatedly complained that his client's strict confinement conditions are punitive, which the military denies.

Manning's lawyer David Coombs says his client has not been allowed to sleep with normal regularity or even exercise in place. Coombs says his client is subsequently suffering down the long slide towards mental deterioration. Supporters of Manning charge the US military is committing torture. But as the Bush administration proved torture is in the eye of the legal beholder.

Whether you believe Pfc. Manning should be released and awarded a medal of honor for exposing the truth or that he is an enemy of the state and should be hanged; there is one item of contention we should agree on. All prisoners held in or by the United States should be treated with basic human dignity. That means being allowed to sleep a minimum of hours, able to exercise at least 30 minutes (even if it is calisthenics standing in place) and clothes. Anything less is inhuman.