San Francisco Pride To Decide On Bradley Manning Parade Grand Marshal Controversy

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Supporters of Bradley Manning are waiting for a decision Friday from the San Francisco Pride board about their decision to rescind their nomination of the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst as a grand marshal at this year's SF Pride Parade.

Manning, who is openly gay, was initially announced as one of the grand marshals to be honored at the parade held on June 30, but at the end of April, SF Pride board president Lisa Williams announced that he would not be honored in the festivities.

The decision caused an uproar among supporters of Manning. After several protests, last week the board agreed to consider reinstating him and decided to announce Friday whether any changes will occur regarding the plans for the parade, Manning supporter Lisa Geduldig said.

Geduldig said the board agreed to decide by this afternoon whether to reinstate Manning, give him a different honor, or drop their consideration.

SF Pride officials were not immediately available Friday afternoon to comment on their decision.

Previously, board president Williams had said Manning would not be honored while his case was still in court.

Geduldig said, "Regardless of what happens, we've declared Bradley Manning the people's grand marshal."

A group of supporters is holding a news conference outside the Pride offices at 1841 Market St. at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

San Francisco Supervisor David Campos is one of the planned speakers because of his efforts to sway the board to reconsider their nomination, according to organizers.

Manning would have been honored at the parade in absentia because he remains in military custody after he was accused of leaking classified information to the online group WikiLeaks.

Manning has been charged with aiding the enemy, wrongfully causing intelligence to be published on the Internet knowing that it is accessible to the enemy, theft of public property or records, transmitting defense information, fraud and violating Army regulations.

He appeared in a Maryland martial court this week and his trial will continue next week.

The pro-Manning group is holding a teach-in and discussion on Saturday at 4 p.m. at 2278 Market St. to raise issues, criticism, support and questions about Manning, his actions and the impact on the LGBT community.

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