Bradley Manning’s suicide attempt leads to new charges as ACLU calls for transgender treatment

Whistleblower/traitor Chelsea Manning, who is known to Americans as Bradley Manning, is serving out his 35-year sentence for disclosing US secrets at Fort Leavenworth prison, but now faces new charges related to a July 5 suicide attempt.

On Thursday, Manning received an Army charge sheet informing her that she is under investigation for “resisting the force cell move team,” “prohibited property,”and “conduct which threatens [life],” the document released by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reads.

If convicted, Manning faces indefinite solitary confinement.

Manning was rushed to the hospital on July 5, following a suicide attempt. The following week, Manning confirmed through an attorney statement that she had attempted to end her own life.

“I am okay. I’m glad to be alive. Thank you all for your love. I will get through this,”Manning tweeted July 11.

I am okay. I’m glad to be alive. Thank you all for your love <3 I will get through this. #standwithchelsea

— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) July 12, 2016

US Army photo Bradley Manning

Identifying as a transgender, Manning wants to be moved away from the all-male population, claiming that this confinement has a negative effect on Manning’s mental health, battling depression, according to the ACLU.

“The government has long been aware of Chelsea’s distress associated with the denial of medical care related to her gender transition and yet delayed and denied the treatment recognized as necessary,” said ACLU Staff Attorney Chase Strangio. “Now, while Chelsea is suffering the darkest depression she has experienced since her arrest, the government is taking actions to punish her for that pain.”

Besides the new charges, the ACLU says the Army is continuing to deny the inmate access to “basic health care,” and provided only “inadequate” medical treatment after her suicide attempt.

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in 2013 after being found guilty of 20 charges by court-martial, including six under the Espionage Act of 1917 for “whistleblowing on war crimes” committed by the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan – all of which involved revealing US secrets and endangering other soldiers.

photo donkeyhotey donkeyhotey.wordpress.com

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Butter Bracco - Roxanne "Butter" Bracco began with the Dispatch as Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reports and insights from Washington DC, Maryland and the surrounding region. Contact Roxie aka "Butter" at [email protected] ATTN: Roxie or Butter Bracco