Sam Adams Integrity in Intelligence Award Former CIA officials award Chelsea Manning for integrity in intelligence! Aaron Kirkhouse (left), a childhood friend of Chelsea Manning, accepting the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence on her behalf. Also in photo: US Army Col. Ann Wright (ret.), Craig Murray, and former CIA analyst Ray McGovern. Private Manning Support Network February 26, 2014 Army whistle-blower Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning took a huge personal risk when she decided to show Americans the true cost of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other foreign policy decisions. For her bravery, she was honored at Oxford University on February 17th, when former CIA officers chose her for the annual Sam Adams Integrity in Intelligence Award. Chelsea Manning's acceptance statement illustrates the same strong moral principles that have led millions of people to support her worldwide: “Since the rise of the national security apparatus… the American government has been pursuing an unprecedented amount of secrecy and power consolidation in the Executive branch, under the President and the Cabinet… When the public lacks the ability to access what its government is doing, it ceases to be involved in the governing process. There is a distinct difference between citizens, in which people are entitled to rights and privileges protected by and from the state, and subjects, in which people are placed under the absolute authority and control of the state. In essence, this is the difference between tyranny and freedom. To echo a maxim from Milton and Foes Friedman: a society that puts secrecy – in the sense of state secrecy – ahead of transparency and accountability will end up neither secure nor free.” She also explained her own role in attempting to hold government transparent and accountable: “I am now accepting this award… for the release of a video and documents that ‘sparked a worldwide dialogue about the importance of government accountability for human rights abuses,’ it is becoming increasingly clear to me that the dangers of withholding documents, legal interpretations, and court jurisprudence from the public that pertain to the right to ‘life, liberty, and property’ of a state’s citizens is as fundamental and important to protecting against such human rights abuses.” Read Chelsea's entire statement on our website here. Last year's recipient of the Sam Adams Award NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden participated in the ceremony via a taped statement. In congratulating Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden noted, "It is for this extraordinary act of public service at an unbelievable personal cost for which we grant this award and our moral sanction to Chelsea Manning." (Watch the video at: privatemanning.org/press/update-22514) Help us continue to cover 100% of Chelsea Manning's legal fees, including upcoming appeals. Donate today.