Chelsea Manning is a political prisoner. Release her right now.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2019
Contact: Evan Greer, 978-852-6457, press@fightforthefuture.org

Whistleblower has been jailed for 100 days for principled opposition to unconstitutional Grand Jury process

Whistleblower and human rights advocate Chelsea Manning has now been imprisoned for 100 days, and faces outrageous fines that have already forced her to lose her apartment and will soon bankrupt her –– for mounting a principled opposition to testifying before a Grand Jury. Digital rights group Fight for the Future, which has long supported Chelsea and led many campaigns demanding her release from prison, issued the following updated statement, which can be attributed to Deputy Director, Evan Greer (pronouns: she/her):

“Chelsea Manning is a brave, kind, and principled person who has suffered immensely at the hands of the US government simply for speaking out and standing up for human rights. We unequivocally condemn the decision to jail her and levy fines against her for mounting a principled opposition to testifying before a Grand Jury.

Grand Juries have frequently been used as secretive tools to punish, harass, and entrap activists. There is a long and important history of resisting these acts of government overreach. Chelsea is one of the most principled people I have ever met. Punishing her with more prison time is not going to change her decision –– it will simply cause her more unnecessary suffering.

Even if you believe the government’s pretense that they were attempting to coerce Chelsea to testify, there is no longer any reason to hold her now that Julian Assange has been indicted.

The US government is blatantly targeting and imprisoning Chelsea Manning due to her political views and outspoken activism. She is a political prisoner. She should be immediately released and the fines against her should be dropped.”

Fight for the Future encourages journalists and supporters to follow @ResistsChelsea and @xychelsea for updates.

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