Big story at Bradley Manning court martial? Military bases have armed police

The closing arguments in the court martial of Bradley Manning wrapped up this afternoon at Fort Meade in Maryland, and the case is now in the hands of Judge Col. Denise Lind. Manning is accused of handing over hundreds of thousands of documents to website WikiLeaks in the largest leak of classified information in U.S. history. So, what’s the big news coming out of Fort Meade? Reporters and bloggers covering the trial are unhappy about their treatment.

Both BuzzFeed and BoingBoing have picked up the story, quoting reporters on the scene who are unhappy about working among armed security, not to mention having their bags searched and having to deal with the spotty quality of the base’s Wi-Fi signal.

https://twitter.com/davidsirota/status/360875638455934976

Media don't have press freedom here. We have press security. We are all protected from our own electronic devices. #Manning

— Kevin Gosztola (@kgosztola) July 25, 2013

I wonder if individuals who signed up for military ever thought they'd be policing press. #Manning

— Kevin Gosztola (@kgosztola) July 25, 2013

https://twitter.com/carwinb/statuses/360442432795586561

https://twitter.com/carwinb/statuses/360428711562063872

https://twitter.com/nathanLfuller/statuses/360429284189409283

https://twitter.com/nathanLfuller/statuses/360389903109992448

https://twitter.com/WikileaksTruck/statuses/360447440425455616

MPs with guns are literally watching over our shoulders in Ft. Meade media center during #Manning closing arguments

— Matt Sledge (@mgsledge) July 25, 2013

Creepy having armed MPs in camo patrolling behind each row of reporters & looking over shoulders as we take notes on Manning trial today

— Charlie Savage (@charlie_savage) July 25, 2013

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Clark Stoeckley, who tweets as @WikiLeaksTruck and posted a photo of himself wearing a “Support Bradley Manning” T-shirt to the proceedings, was banned from the court martial earlier today after being accused of posting threatening messages, but he is asking followers not to overreact.

https://twitter.com/nathanLfuller/status/360835873174065152

https://twitter.com/WikileaksTruck/status/360807921967312897

https://twitter.com/WikileaksTruck/status/360838227445288960