2012-03-15 #WikiLeaks News Update: #Manning's motion hearing; #BeatTheBlockade; Other news
WikiLeaks has been financially blockaded without process for 468 days.
Julian Assange has been detained without charge for 464 days.
Bradley Manning has been imprisoned without trial for 662 days.
Bradley Manning News:
- Bradley Manning's motion hearing began today. Here are some major developments:
- The defense filed a motion to dismiss charges against Manning based on the government withholding important evidence
- The prosecution did not receive some important emails related to the case because their spam filter blocked anything with the word "WikiLeaks"
- The enemy Manning is accused of aiding has been identified as Al-Qaeda
- It is possible that Manning will testify about being videotaped at Quantico
- The hearing will continue at 10AM tomorrow, March 16
- For in-depth coverage of the hearing see Kevin Gosztola's live-blog and Alexa O'Brien's transcript
- David House was on MSNBC's The Dylan Ratigan Show discussing Bradley Manning's motion hearing.
- Both The Alyona Show and the Courthouse News Service discussed the immense amount of secrecy in Bradley Manning's trial including the lack of access to his legal records.
- Alexa O'Brien interviewed Denver Nicks, author of the upcoming book "Private: Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, and the Biggest Exposure of Official Secrets in American History."
WikiLeaks News:
- A new campaign entitled "Beat the Blockade" has been created to help overcome the unlawful financial blockade against WikiLeaks. On April 5 they are asking everyone to donate at least $5 to WikiLeaks.
- The US State Department is looking to fire Peter Van Buren, a foreign service officer, based on 8 charges including linking to WikiLeaks cables and disclosing classified information.
- Obama is insisting that journalist Abdulelah Haider Shaye be kept in a Yemeni prison. Among other things, Shaye revealed the US was conducting drone strikes in Yemen, information which was later vindicated by a WikiLeaks cable.
- WikiLeaks cables show that US Diplomats have been complaining of harassment from the Venezuelan government since 2006.
- Emails between Stratfor employees and top Google executives show that Google was involved in "regime change" in the Middle East.
- Referencing a WikiLeaks cable on Chinese investment in Australia, Chris Berg writes about how comments by Craig Emerson MP should not be taken at face value.
Julian Assange News:
- Julian Assange participated in an online debate about the War on Drugs. He begins speaking around 1:37:00. Transcript of his remarks is also available.
- Julian Assange's upcoming TV show "The World Tomorrow" will be distributed by Journeyman Pictures.
- Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam wrote an article discussing the real risks that Julian Assange faces if extradited to the US.
- An article in New Matilda discusses what Australian MPs know about the allegations against Assange from a briefing they were given a year ago.
- Christine Assange was on ABC North Coast NSW radio and ABC NewsRadio Drive discussing Julian Assange's upcoming Supreme Court verdict, the threat of US extradition, and her pursuit of justice for her son.
- Stop the War Coalition Sydney has information on all the rallies planned in Australia after Julian Assange's Supreme Court verdict is handed down.
Upcoming Dates & Events:
March 16: Bradley Manning's motion hearing continues at Fort Meade, 10AM.
March 16: Vigil for Bradley Manning at the US Embassy in London, 5PM.
March 17: "War on WikiLeaks" public forum at Bleeding Heart, Brisbane, 7PM. Speakers include Christine Assange and Scott Ludlam.
Mid-March: Julian Assange's TV Series to begin airing.
April 5: Beat the Blockade against WikiLeaks by donating at least $5.
April 25: Kristinn Hrafnsson to speak at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy.
May 23: Julian Assange to speak at Enterprise Information Management Congress 2012 in The Netherlands.
May 27: "Incident in New Baghdad" to air on The Documentary Channel, 8PM.