May 17 events to celebrate Chelsea Manning release
Update: Photos and reports from May 17 events now available
On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Chelsea will come out of prison after seven years.
Our friends at Payday and QueerStrike helped organize a number of these events. They explained, “Her 35-year sentence was commuted by Obama. It was a victory for Chelsea of course, but also for all of us in many countries who supported her and benefited from her courageous whistleblowing: the international women and lgbtq+ movements, the anti-war and anti-racist movements, the movements of whistleblowers, war veterans, refuseniks and everyone who stands for justice.”
Chelsea's Welcome Home Fund
San Francisco, California
Harvey Milk Plaza (Castro & Market street). 6-7pm.
Gathering and speak-out Co-sponsors: Courage to Resist, Code Pink, Gays Without Borders, Queer Strike, and the South African Human Rights Coalition. More info
San Diego, California
Hillcrest Pride Flag, University Ave and Normal Street. 6-7pm
Chelsea is going to be released! Gather, rally, and celebrate at the Pride Flag on May 17th! More info
Seattle, Washington
New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S. 7pm
Chelsea Manning Release Celebration organized by Veterans For Peace Greater Seattle Chapter 92. More info
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
N 8th St and Hudson. 5-7:30pm
Hosted by Amnesty International Oklahoma City, Center for Conscience in Action, Oklahoma Friends of Chelsea Manning. More info
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15th and JFK Boulevard (across from the NW corner of City Hall). 4:30–6:30pm (Speakout at 5:30)
Called by Payday men’s network (215-848-1120) with Brandywine Peace Community, Delaware Valley Veterans for America, Global Women’s Strike and Women of Color in the GWS, Veterans for Peace Chapter 31.
Portland, Oregon
Director’s Park. Noon-2pm
Organized by Veterans for Peace Chapter 72
Chicago, Illinois
4745 N. Beacon St, #3S. 6-10pm
A house party / fundraiser for Chelsea Welcome Home Fund. No one turned away for lack of funds. Sponsored by the Gay Liberation Network
Boston, Massachusetts
7pm. Pot luck dinner celebration. Committee for International Labor Defense & Boston Chelsea Manning Support. For more info: email
New York City, New York
Union Square, 14th Street & Broadway. 3-5pm
Gathering to Celebrate the release of Chelsea Manning in Manhattan.
Kansas City, Kansas
J.C. Nichols Fountain, 47th Street, between Broadway & Main St., KCMO. 4:30-5:30pm
“Thank You, Chelsea” rally organized by PeaceWorks, Kansas City
Tucson, Arizona
Military Recruiting Offices on Speedway (between Campbell and Tucson Blvd.). 8-9am
Local chapters of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Veterans for Peace and other peace groups to celebrate Chelsea’s release during morning gathering. More info
International
Reykjavik, Iceland
Pirate Party Headquarters, Tortuga, Síðumúli 23, 105 Reykjavík. 8pm
Auckland, New Zealand
We are celebrating Chelsea’s release with a toast to freedom at Verona Cafe on Karangahape Rd, as part of the Amnesty International Auckland Central Group’s Happy Hour. 6pm
Beer Sheva, Israel
Near where Palestinians prisoners are on hunger strike. Refusenik and supporter of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Sanctions & Divestment movement against Israel Yonatan Shapira will dedicate his concert to Chelsea. Evening event
London, UK
St Martin-in-the-Fields (Trafalgar Sq. WC2 N 4JJ). Celebration vigil organized by Payday & Queer Strike. 5:30-7pm
Housmans bookshop Peace News party, 5 Caledonian Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9DY. 7pm
Cardiff, Wales
Roath park, picnic for freedom with Croeso Teifi. Tea time
Events on other days
Baltimore, Maryland (May 19th)
Mt. Vernon Park, N. Charles and Centre Sts. www.PopularResistance.org. 5-7pm
Dublin, Ireland (May 21st)
Remembering, Celebrating, Solidarity Teachers’ Club, Parnell Square, 1 – Music, song and words with Joe Black, Donal O’Kelly, RoJ, Robbie Sinnott and more. Organized by Action from Ireland (AFRI). 5-8:30pm
Berkeley, California (May 15th)
2180 Milvia Street. Peace flag raising and celebration of Chelsea Manning’s coming release. Hosted by Courage to Resist. 11:30am. More info
Mannheim, Germany (May 15th)
Celebration at the inauguration of “André-Shepherd” footpath, Fritz-Salm-Str. 12 in 68167 Mannheim. By Connection e.V. 6:30-9:30pm
“I fully support the right of US military personnel who, in acts of conscience, refuse to go to a war of aggression, a war crime. … I proudly support those who take such a stand.”
What about Melbourne, Australia?!
If you have information about an upcoming event in Melbourne, please share it.
Will do, just looking to see if there’s anything.
On 17. May, just check out how Norway will celebrate the release of Chelsea!