Bradley Manning is A Hero: Grand Marshal not Court Martial

When the SF Pride Board, which oversees the LGBT Pride March, rescinded an earlier vote to make pfc Bradley Manning a Grand Marshal in the June 30 march, hundreds of Bradley Manning supporters demanded that the board take back that action. Outrage was fueled in the community not only on the rescinding of Bradley as a Grand Marshall, but by statements from the Pride Board that Manning was a “traitor”. Supporters at a community meeting also demanded that the board place the Bradley Manning contingent at the front of the March. Instead, the contingent, which all predict will be the largest group in the march this Sunday, has been placed in the 176 slot in the rear half of the March.
Many of us in the LGBT community want to return Pride to its political origins. Pride marches were fueled by militant spirits of Stonewall and Compton Café rebellions. “Come out of the closets and into the streets,” became a militant clarion call. In the ‘70s, the Gay Liberation Front broke open those closet doors, not only for dazzling dances down cities’ main streets for one day in June, but for ending all oppressions.
Actions, such as the many demonstrations - joined by whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg - against the unpopular Pride Board ruling, and the disruption and picket at the Pride Board Media Party, June 27 in support of Bradley Manning prove that original militant spirit is again rising up.
The Dyke March published a statement titled “Not Proud of Pride,” and the Trans March published a statement saying they will be honoring Bradley Manning at their march on Friday, June 28th.
When a group of activists attended the Pride Media Party to express support for Bradley Manning and read a statement about the Pride Board actions, the activists were told by security to leave the glitzy event at the W Hotel. But activists unfurled a banner, chanted “LGBT! Bradley Manning Leaks for Me”, and continued to read their statement - partial statement http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/92928
More information on pfc Bradley Manning, his current trial, http://www.bradleymanning.org/