Chelsea Elizabeth Manning, the US army soldier,,one of the most prominent whistleblowers in modern times who with immense bravery exposed the nature of modern warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who then went on to pay the price with a 35-year military prison sentence,will now be released on May 17, instead of remaining in military custody until 2045 as originally sentenced,as a gift from outgoing President Barack Obama.
This momentous announcement of a commutation that can not be reversed by a future president, that I didn't think was actually going to happen.does not compensate in any way though, for the brutal treatment Chelsea was illegally subjected to while awaiting trial at the Quantico Marine Brig , having to spend 7-years imprisoned for releasing documents that should never have been classified in the first place, that were clearly in the public interest, that helped shed light on human rights abuses, war crimes, corruption, and government deception. Manning twice attempted suicide last year,also going on a hunger strike which only ended after the military agreed to provide her with gender transition treatment. at the male military prison where she was being held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as a result of the terrible ordeal that she was forced to endure.
Chelsea lived for four years as a teenager here in Wales. Her Welsh family have said in a statement that they were "overjoyed", adding that there would "always be a welcome for her here in Wales".
Congratulations Chelsea, and thank you to the to all the people across the country and the world who stood by her in their unrelenting support for her cause. Without them, this day would not have been possible, this victory is a victory for all who continued to stand with her.For once justice has prevailed. Let us hope that Chelsea, this deeply sensitive intelligent heroic woman, who has inspired millions around the world, now gets the life that she has been denied for years. I cannot wait for the day that she actually walks free.
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