'Treason' Cited as Chelsea Manning Blocked at Canada Border

Canada dared call it treason.

American’s northern neighbor slammed the door on Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning when she tried to drive into Quebec last week. Canadian authorities blocked Manning “on grounds of serious criminality,” according to official records, “that would equate to an indictable offense, namely treason.”

Canada’s red light mocked the emoluments presented to Manning since she waltzed out of Fort Leavenworth on May 17. Manning was feted like a conquering hero in New York City’s gay-pride parade last June. This month’s Vogue magazine showcases Manning in a one-piece swimsuit, snapped by celebrity photographer Annie Liebovitz. Manning will be a headliner at October’s New Yorker Festival. And Harvard recently named Manning a Visiting Fellow.

“She speaks on the social, technological and economic ramifications of Artificial Intelligence,” Harvard breathlessly announced. “As a trans woman, she advocates for queer and transgender rights as @xychelsea on Twitter.” Tragicomically, Harvard described Manning as “a Washington D.C. based network security expert.”

These plaudits are outrageous, given why Manning landed behind bars: In July 2013, Manning was convicted of 20 of 22 charges including six violations of the Espionage Act of 1917.

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