A 'Free Bradley Manning' protest to be held at US Embassy, Dublin

A PROTEST CALLING for the release of Bradley Manning has been planned for tomorrow outside the gates of the US Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

The Irish Anti War Movement (IAWM) say they expect a crowd of between 10 and 100.

“Wikileaks has exposed the horrors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM. “We regard him [Manning] as a hero.”

Although Manning managed to escape a possible maximum 90-year sentences, Roche said: ”He’s a very young man. We think it’s wrong he was sentenced at all”.

The 25-year-old soldier was also dishonourably discharged from the US Army and sentences to 35 years behind bars for espionage.

When asked if he believed a protest in Dublin for the former Private would make a difference, Roche said: “The US government isn’t as strong as it used to be. I think they’ll be concerned about it.”

The peaceful demonstration that is set to begin at 5.30pm is just one of dozens planned around the world. A similar protest was held on Shop Street, Galway this afternoon.

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