Chelsea Manning

American activist and whistleblower (born 1987)

Chelsea Elizabeth Manning,[2][3] (born Bradley Edward Manning; December 17, 1987) is a United States Army soldier who was diagnosed with gender identity disorder while in the Army.[4] After Adrian Lamo exposed Manning leaking secret government files to WikiLeaks in 2011, readers of The Guardian chose her as 2012's person of the year.[5]

Chelsea Manning
photograph
Manning in 2022
Born (1987-12-17) December 17, 1987 (age 36)
Known forClassified document disclosure to WikiLeaks
Political partyDemocratic
Criminal charge(s)Violating the Espionage Act, stealing government property, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, multiple counts of disobeying orders[1]
Criminal penalty35 years imprisonment (commuted to 7 years total confinement), reduction in rank to private (E-1 or PVT), forfeiture of all pay and allowances, dishonorable discharge
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service
RankPrivate (formerly Specialist)
Unit2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division (former)
Awards
Signature
Chelsea Manning

On 21 August 2013 Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison,[6] but was released on 17 May 2017 by order of President Barack Obama on 17 January 2017.[7]

On January 11, 2018, she announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland to challenge the state's senior senator, two-term incumbent Ben Cardin, as a Democrat in the June 26, 2018 primary election.[8] She lost the primary election to Cardin.

On March 8, 2019, she was held in contempt of court by a United States District Court judge for refusing to testify to a federal grand jury investigating WikiLeaks and except for a brief period of release between May 9 and May 16 has been jailed continuously.

On March 11, 2020, she tried to commit suicide in the federal detention center in Alexandria, Virginia.[9][10][11]

Early life

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Manning was born in Crescent, Oklahoma.

References

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  1. Tate, Julie; Londoño, Ernesto (July 30, 2013). "Bradley Manning found not guilty of aiding the enemy, convicted on other charges". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  2. "'I am Chelsea': Read Manning's full statement". today.com. 22 August 2013. As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun (except in official mail to the confinement facility). I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back.
  3. Stamp, Scott (22 August 2013). "Bradley Manning: I want to live as a woman". today.com.
  4. "'I am Chelsea Manning'". MSNBC. 22 August 2013.
  5. Staff, Guardian (10 December 2012). "Guardian person of the year: Voters choose Bradley Manning" – via www.theguardian.com.
  6. "Bradley Manning Sentenced to 35 Years for Leaking Secrets". ABC News.
  7. Shubailai, Nadine (17 May 2017). "Chelsea Manning released: The past 'is only my starting point, not my final destination'". ABC News.
  8. "Chelsea Manning files for US Senate bid in Maryland". Associated Press. January 14, 2018. Manning is yet to file for the primary with the state elections board, which Manning must do in person by Feb. 27.
  9. Cameron, Dell (March 11, 2020). "Chelsea Manning Attempted Suicide in Jail on Wednesday, Lawyers Say". Gizmodo. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  10. "Statement From Chelsea Manning's Legal Team: Ms. Manning is Recovering in Hospital, Scheduled to Appear in Court Friday". The Sparrow Project. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  11. "Lawyer: Chelsea Manning attempts suicide in Va. jail". Associated Press. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.