Bradley Manning for Nobel Peace Prize

Please award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to Wikileaks whistle-blower Pfc. Bradley Manning.

Pfc. Manning was recently recommended for court-martial on nearly 2 dozen charges for allegedly leaking over 250,000 State Department cables to Wikileaks. The US government - under direction of 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner President Barack Obama - is making the punitive and destructive claim that Manning 'aided the enemy' by knowingly handing off documents for publication on the internet - a charge that will not only cost Manning his life in prison, but will have serious ramifications for journalists and whistleblowers alike going forward.

The military has refused to allow testimony that the national security implications of Manning's alleged leaks are minimal if any. But it is clear that the revelations contained in those documents -- especially with regards to official corruption and brutality of Middle Eastern despots -- have helped to inspire global movements for justice, democracy and government transparency, most notably the Arab Spring. Are the brave souls behind these pro-democracy movements really our 'enemies' as the US administration would have us believe?

Pfc. Manning has yet to be convicted of any crime, yet he spent over 500 days imprisoned in inhumane conditions while awaiting trial. We believe awarding Pfc. Manning with the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize would not only serve to recognize his contributions to world peace, but rally support around his case and help insure he receives a just trial.

On behalf of thousands of his supporters, we urge you to award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to Pfc. Bradley Manning.