To be reminded that we are given so little information, and instead brainwashed into believing certain things, is disheartening, even angering, which is why when activists take a stand for global freedom, it is important to acknowledge and praise them.
In Berlin, Germany, three life-size bronze statues have been resurrected to commemorate three figures considered politically left heroes for their work in leaking US intelligence documents. The whistleblowers Chelsea Manning, Julian Assange, and Edward Snowden were represented through the artwork of Italian sculptor Davide Dormino.Unveiled in front of activists and members of the German Green Party, the statues are meant to “represent three contemporary heroes who have lost their freedom for the truth,” according to Dormino. He says that they symbolize “how important it is to know the truth and have the courage to know the truth.”
Standing in Berlin’s Alexanderplatz Square, the political piece is called “Anything to Say?” and serves as a reminder for all people to fight for freedom of speech and information. “They have lost their freedom for the truth, so they remind us how important it is to know the truth,” says Dormino. Next to the three figures standing on chairs is an empty chair — encouraging an invitation to join their movement in making the world a more truthful, peaceful place through activism.
“The fourth chair is open to anyone here in Berlin who wants to get up and say anything they want,” Dormino explains.The unveiling of the statues, which took place in May 2015, inspired onlookers to speak up with their words and their actions. People stood upon the open chair, some speaking their thoughts into a loudspeaker for anyone to hear, proving that fear cannot keep them quiet, just like it didn’t for the three whistleblowers being celebrated before them. “People are saying many different things. From politics to babbling to silence, from people who desperately are wanting to help Julian, Bradley and Edward to people who have no idea who they are. This chair is, I guess, a place of free speech,” Dormino notes.
The United States mainstream media portrays the situation differently, however, taking the side of their government and pushing people into believing that these three activists’ motivations and actions were unjust. Euronews reports the following:
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange faces extradition to Sweden to face investigation into accusations of rape and sexual assault, but fears he will be extradited to the US to face questions over his role in leaking secret US documents. He has taken asylum in Ecuador’s London Embassy. US soldier Chelsea Manning (born Bradley Manning) was convicted in 2013 on charges relating to the Espionage Act for leaking US intelligence and military documents to Wikileaks. She is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence. Edward Snowden is currently evading extradition to the US by taking asylum in Russia. He released classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) to journalists revealing the scale of the US government’s global surveillance capabilities.
But despite any negativity surrounding the three whistleblowers, Dormino wants to take the exhibit worldwide as a means of showing the importance of standing up for our freedom against the intrusion of our private lives, not believing in the lies political powers push upon us, and saying no to war as a tool for achieving a greater good.
With so many supporting the exhibit and what it stands for, let’s hope the U.S. finds their way to a place of truth and justice that will benefit us all in the long run.
