Join us at the Fort Meade hearings to stand with Brad

Join us at the Fort Meade hearings to stand with Brad

digg

Court is in recess for the holiday. Proceedings will resume Monday, July 8 at 9:30am.

Next Fort Meade vigil: Monday, July 8 from 7:00am to 8:30am.

Heroic WikiLeaks whistle-blower PFC Bradley Manning’s trial began on June 3. It is expected to last into August. We encourage everyone to attend one or more days!
The first day that court is in session each week of the trial, we hold a vigil from 7:00 am to 8:30 am in front of the Fort Meade Main Gate at Reece Road and US 175 (Google map). Afterwards, we enter Fort Meade (via the Visitor Control Center), and go to the courtroom. E-mail emma@bradleymanning.org for vigil updates. On other days, we recommend arriving at the base at 8:30am in order to leave time to clear security before court begins at 9:30am. However, if you arrive later you’ll still be able to enter at a court recess.
It has been over three years since his arrest. Enough is enough. Free Bradley Manning! Help us show Bradley we care by filling the court room. Many of us wear “truth” shirts onto Fort Meade, and in the courtroom, to symbolize our solidarity.
To enter Fort Meade, bring a government issued ID, such as a state issued drivers license or passport. Non-US passports are accepted. Be prepared to remove any shirts or buttons that show support for Bradley Manning while on base.
If you are driving onto Fort Meade, make sure to:

• Have your up-to-date vehicle registration
• Have your up-to-date vehicle insurance (printed copy–not a electronic version on your mobile phone)
• Obey posted speed limits (they are strictly enforced by military police–especially for “special visitors”)
• Be prepared to cover “political” bumper stickers on your vehicle with tape

Unlike most trials, the government is refusing to release any official transcripts of the trials. It is up to the public to attend, and comment on, what happens inside the otherwise secretive court room. Thank you for your support and please join us at Fort Meade!

Click here for Carpool information

Click here for our guide to transit & lodging near Ft. Meade

Getting there by car:

From Washington, D.C.

• Take MD-295 NORTH towards BALTIMORE to US 175 EAST. Take 175 EAST until you come to the Reece Road intersection (there is a traffic light). Turn right at the traffic light onto Reece road, and proceed to the Visitor Control Center to your right.
  

From Baltimore, M.D.

• Take MD-295 SOUTH towards WASHINGTON DC to US 175 EAST. Take 175 EAST until you come to the Reece Road intersection (there is a traffic light). Turn right at the traffic light onto Reece road, and proceed to the Visitor Control Center to your right.

Visitor Control Center

• Fort Meade is a ‘closed’ post, all visitors should go to the Visitor Control Center at the Reece Road gate for access information. This information may change from day to day. There is a parking lot outside of the Visitor Control Center.

Courtroom

• After entering Fort Meade at Reece Road, drive or walk to the Magistrate Court, 4432 Llewellyn Avenue, Fort Meade, MD. (After entering through Main Gate security, go down Reece Rd until you get to Cooper Rd, and then turn left. The courtroom parking lot is at the end of Cooper Rd, where it intersects with Llewellyn Ave.) There is usually parking available near the courtroom. It is 2 miles from the Visitor Control Center. There are no electronic devices allowed through the security check to enter the courtroom–you must leave your mobile phone in your vehicle (or someone’s vehicle).
• Inside the courtroom, we think the best way to show our support for Bradley is by keeping the courtroom full and wearing our “Truth” t-shirts. The defense is working very hard to argue its case, and so we ask that people conduct themselves respectfully inside the courtroom, so that attention will not be taken away from their efforts. Talking, loud noises and sleeping are also not allowed while court is in session. We recommend that people bring a clear water bottle, as food and drinks are not allowed in the courtroom. We also recommend people bring a cardigan or jacket, as the courtroom is usually significantly cooler than the weather outside. You may choose to bring a notebook or sketchpad for note-taking/drawing, and a book or newspaper for periods when court is slow.
  Outside the courtroom, in front of public officials in DC is where we have the potential to make the most impact with our activism. You can follow news at www.bradleymanning.org about upcoming actions to protest whistleblower Bradley Manning’s prosecution.

If you have any questions about attending the court room proceedings, and the vigil please contact mckee@bradleymanning.org