Poetry

Paul Matzner shares a poem in honor of Bradley Manning (now Chelsea Manning) at San Francisco's sentencing rally on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. 

 

Chelsea Manning formally appealed today to President Obama for a pardon or commuting of her 35 year sentence to time already served.

The letter was reportedly sent to both President Obama and the secretary of the army, John McHugh, a statement already made public in last month's sentencing.   It was accompanied by a cover letter from attorney David Coombs criticizing the sentence as disproportionate to both the offense and offender with "undoubtedly" "a chilling effect on future whistleblowers," and damaging to "the public's perception of military justice."

Amnesty International issued a supporting letter to President Obama, in conjunction with the formal application, requesting a commuting of the sentence to time already served in recognition of Manning's motives, the treatment he endured during his early pre-trial detention, and the due process shortcomings during his trial.