USA: The Wikileaks Truck

The arrest of Pfc. Bradley Manning and his prior detention at the Marine Corps brig at Quantico has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who argue the conditions of his confinement constituted torture. A global, grassroots movement to protest the legality of his imprisonment has taken shape.

For his part, artist Clark Stoeckley bought an old U-Haul truck and with some vinyl, has converted it into what has become known as the Wikileaks Truck, or Mobile Information Collection Unit. The truck is meant to raise public awareness of Bradley Manning and Wikileaks, according to Clark, who acts as a sort of “unofficial ambassador” for the organization, doling out information to the curious while driving his message around NYC and Washington D.C.

For his part, artist Clark Stoeckley bought an old U-Haul truck and with some vinyl, has converted it into what has become known as the Wikileaks Truck, or Mobile Information Collection Unit. The truck is meant to raise public awareness of Bradley Manning and Wikileaks, according to Clark, who acts as a sort of “unofficial ambassador” for the organization, doling out information to the curious while driving his message around NYC and Washington D.C.

The US government has since moved Manning to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is reportedly held under better conditions. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Menendez, has been unable to receive unrestricted access to Manning. Amnesty International and US Rep. Dennis Kucinich have likewise been denied.

Manning is accused of leaking a video showing the murder of civilians and Reuters journalists in Iraq by US soldiers and over 250,000 classified State Department documents to Wikileaks. The cache of released documents is credited by some to have aided the Arab Spring, and has caused diplomatic and public furor around the world.

Full story here.