
On Reality Winner & Freedom
What does independence really mean to Americans today? What is the meaning of freedom?
By Courage to Resist
This 4th of July millions of Americans will be barbecuing, drinking beers and celebrating independence from tyranny. But one young American will not be enjoying her freedom. This young woman sits behind bars for allegedly acting upon her own commitment to stand up for a government free from tyranny.
Reality Leigh Winner is an Air Force veteran and military contractor who has been arrested for allegedly leaking an NSA document to news media. The classified document in question details Russian cyberattacks against a voting machine software company and more than 100 elected officials. This is the most detailed information that has still yet to reach the American public regarding the government’s investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections.
Charged under the Espionage Act, which some argue does not sufficiently address needed whistleblower and First Amendment protections, Ms. Winner is now the first criminal leak case of the Trump era. With the White House declaring less than two months ago an imminent crackdown on those who leak classified information, many are concerned that Ms. Winner is a sitting duck in this politically-motivated shooting range. “Espionage Act charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, although conventional leak cases have typically resulted in prison terms of one to three years.”
Held without bail in federal prison since early June, Ms. Winner made her first court appearance this past week for a bond hearing and her court date has now been set for October 23rd. When asked by local news media of the status of his defense strategy Mr. Titus Nichols stated, “At this stage the only thing we have (evidence) is a press release from the deputy attorney general and an application for a search warrant. In all my time as a prosecutor, that’s never been sufficient to either try a case or to even prepare for a case.”
Sign the Petition: Drop the Charges!
Department of Justice:
Drop the changes against Ms. Reality L. Winner, the defense contractor who allegedly shared with the media evidence of attacks against US election systems by foreign agents. This information should not have been classified. Ms. Winner’s prosecution appears politically motivated.
While addressing the dubious political motivations for the aggressive prosecution of Ms. Winner her lawyer stated “My client has no criminal history. She’s a veteran. She served the Air Force for six years but now she’s been pulled into this political windstorm where there’s a much larger debate going on that this administration is choosing not to focus on. Instead of focusing on the question of was Russia involved in interfering with the election, now we’re focusing on the extent of punishment for this low-level government employee.”
A recent video of incarcerated Ms. Winner shows her making use of the prison grounds to practice the yoga poses crow, full wheel and headstand. These are all exercises which can assist one’s focus and gaining a different perspective while managing chaos, fear or inflexibility.
While celebrating our independence this July 4th, let’s also take the time to practice focus and courage. We can ask ourselves what would I do to defend or gain freedom for myself or others? And how can I support and defend those who may seek to do the same?

Reality Leigh Winner (right) with her mother Billie Winner-Davis.
For Reality Winner’s case, she needs widespread, transpartisan public support. Please share this article on social media, or post a photo of yourself with a “I Stand with Reality” sign. Sign the petition above to DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST REALITY WINNER.
Reality Winner has my respect! She did the right thing. We all have to act for freedom & truth. Independence means “speak out loud and clear” in case of injustice. *DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST HER*!
A clarion cry for urgent national discussion: The only constitutional means of addressing a criminal President is Impeachment. After 230 years, it’s time has come!
Reality Winner is not guilty of Espionage, she’s guilty of being a patriot. Why are they trying to hide the facts from the American Public ? And if revealing the truth is a crime, then our democracy is in big trouble. These people who are willing to risk their freedom, in order to reveal the truth to us…are Patriots !
A person who exposes election fraud is a patriot, not a criminal.
I answered my own question – what is the mailing address of Reality Winner? Here it is:
Reality Winner
Lincoln County Jail
P.O. Box 970
Lincolnton, Georgia 30817
I have no idea why they’re holding her in a county jail since she’s charged with a federal crime.
It’s common for both the feds and the military to use country jails for pre-trial confinement. Lincolnton jail is very small, and from what we’re heard from the family, is better than many jails–“it could be a lot worse” are their feelings about it.
This is a really shocking, sad & serious case. Thank you for supporting Reality Winner.
Reality is going for a 2nd bond hearing on Friday, September 29, 2018, in the federal court in the southern district of Georgia, in Augusta, Georgia. I think this time they’re going to release her. There’s got to be some decent judges left in this country.