Civilian victims of Afghan war 'rises by 31% in six months 'UN report released today expresses concern that the human cost of conflict is 'paid too heavily by civilians' The number of civilians killed or wounded in the Afghan conflict rose 31% in the first six months of the year, with anti-government forces causing about three-quarters of the casualties, the United Nations said in a report released today. "The human cost of this conflict is unfortunately rising," Staffan De Mistura, the top UN envoy in Afghanistan, said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/10/human-cost-afghan-war-too-high?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

from William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/ Speaking at the demonstration were: Jeff Paterson, Ellen Barfeld, Mike Marceau, Matt Southworth, Phyllis Bennis, Ray McGovern, Josh Stieber, Andrew Castro and the Rev. Lennox Yearwood. Note: A special thanks to the Mayor of Quantico, VA, the Hon. Iris Tharp. According to Medea Benjamin, she granted a permit to hold the demonstration at the 11th hour because she is a “supporter of Free Speech.” (55 Minutes, 45 Seconds)

from: William Hughes

On Friday evening, Aug. 6, 2010, at the Bufano Sculpture Garden, on the campus of the Johns Hopkins U., in Baltimore, MD, a remembrance ceremony was held by the “Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee.” One of the participants in the event was David Eberhardt. He is a peace and social justice activist, an author and poet. See: http://davideberhardt.webs.com/farewelltophil.htm Mr. Eberhardt read his remake of James Russell Lowell’s hymn, “Once to Every Man and Nation.” Check out: http://www.greatchristianhymns.com/once-every-man.html Max Obuszewski acted as the moderator for the program. In his halcyon days, Mr. Eberhardt was part of a legendary anti-Vietnam War protest action, n/k/a “The Baltimore Four.” Go to: http://davideberhardt.webs.com/ and http://www.jonahhouse.org/pics67-73.htm

from: William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. One of the speakers was Andrew Castro. He is a member of the ANSWER Coalition, a national Peace and Justice organization. Mr. Castro, who is from the Baltimore, MD area, said: “We demand freedom of Bradley Manning.” Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. ”For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/

from: William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. One of the spearers was the Rev. Lennox Yearwood. He is the chair of the Hip Hop Caucus, a community activist and a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War. He said: “I pray for all truth tellers!”
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. ”For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/

from: William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. One of the spearers was Ray McGovern. He is an ex-CIA analyst, peace and justice activist and author. He said: “There is no moral sense in the Pentagon, and sadly, in the White House!”
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. ”For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/

from: William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. One of the speakers was Josh Stieber. He’s a Iraq War veteran and a conscientious objecter. See, Mr. Stieber’s blog here: http://contagiousloveexperiment.wordpress.com/ Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. ”For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/

from: William Hughes

A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, VA, in support of Private Bradley Manning. Currently, he is incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base. It surrounds the town, which borders on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with a releasing a video which showed, “the killing of civilians and journalist in Iraq,” by U.S. forces, according to a press release of one of the event’s sponsors. One of the speakers was Phyllis Bennis. She is a journalist, and a peace and justice activist. Ms. Bennis said: “Wars Need Secrets. Illegal wars keep illegal secrets...Democracy needs whistleblowers.” Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled: “Free Bradley Manning. ”For background on the “alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning,” see: http://www.bradleymanning.org/

43 Photos from the "Free Bradley Manning Rally" of August 8, 2010, Quantico, VA.