Tom Morello, Against Me!, and Ted Leo contribute to Chelsea Manning benefit album
One of President Obama’s last acts in office was to commute all but four months of the sentence of Chelsea Manning, the Army intelligence analyst convicted of leaking American military data in 2010, moving the date she’d be released from prison from sometime in 2045 to May 17, 2017. Against all odds, that happens to be one of the few good things Obama did that hasn’t been completely undone by Donald Trump, and—after seven years—Chelsea Manning is really getting out of prison tomorrow.
To celebrate that fantastic occasion, a bunch of cool musical artists have gotten together for Hugs For Chelsea, a benefit compilation that will raise money to help pay for Manning’s living expenses as she adjusts to life out of prison. As announced in a press release, the compilation was set up by singer/songwriter and transgender activist Evan Greer, and 100 percent of the proceeds from it will be going to a bank account set up on Manning’s behalf. Also, for anyone who’d rather hear about all of this from an actual music icon instead of from these boring words, Greer has that covered as well:
The musicians involved include Tom Morello, Thurston Moore, Against Me!, Amanda Palmer, Ted Leo, Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band, Kimya Dawson, Mirah, and a whole bunch of others. The album is available for $25 at this link, and you can even stream it below.