Julian Assange has been imprisoned for 1755 days

Dear Friends,

As we approach the beginning of February, foremost in our minds is the pivotal court hearings to be held on February 20 and 21 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

We will of course be at the Royal Courts of Justice and urge anyone who can travel to London on those days to do so in order to protest peacefully the ongoing unjust detention of publisher Julian Assange. Protests in support of Mr. Assange are being organized globally therefore if you cannot come to London on these days check if there is a protest near you which you can attend.

Ahead of these court hearings please explore the brand new Julian Assange interactive map which can be accessed here: https://freeassange.org/free-assange-interactive-map/

The map showcases Julian Assange's awards for Journalism (more than 35) as well as regional and municipal honors and awards that he has been granted. Also on the map you can find protest sites for demonstrations on February 20/21.  

The map showcases Julian Assange's awards for Journalism (more than 35) as well as regional and municipal honors and awards that he has been granted. Also on the map you can find protest sites for demonstrations on February 20/21.  

You can register your attendance here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/day-x-is-here-protest-to-defend-press-freedom or just come along on the day: Royal Courts of Justice, London WC2A 2LL, 8.30am.

In the past month Julian has lost one of his great friends and supporters, the indefatigable John Pilger. John spent much of his time in later years campaigning for Julian's release and we convey our heartfelt sympathy to his family. Universally celebrated as one of the great journalists of our time, John's passing at the age of 84 is not just a great loss to Julian Assange but all those who knew him, as well as a severe loss to journalism itself. John Pilger once said "It is only when journalists understand the role they play in propaganda, it’s only when they realize they can’t be both independent, honest journalists and agents of power, that things will begin to change."

On Julian Assange creating WikiLeaks, John Pilger noted that Julian was "brave in starting a project that he knew would get him in trouble, the best kind of trouble. The kind of trouble that informs people, that respects their right to know about those who govern them, those that make war in their name...when Julian started WikiLeaks Julian knew it would be a rocky road...it was about seeking justice through letting people know what was going on". John Pilger understood the significance of the WikiLeaks project that Julian Assange began and the dangers posed to him in championing the public's right to know. Let us honor John's memory by strengthening our efforts to free Julian Assange and building a more just and open society for all of us.

A Public Rally was held this month in London which included Julian's wife Stella Assange alongside parliamentarians David Davis, Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Burgon as well as Union leader Len McCluskey, Comedian and activist Alexei Sayle and political activist Kate Hudson. Speaking at the rally of John Pilger, whom she called a 'consistent ally of the dispossessed' Stella talked of her heartbreak at the news of his passing and her gratitude to him for fighting for Julian 'until the end'.

Labors' Richard Burgon MP vowed to continue campaigning on behalf of Julian Assange 'until extradition is dropped and Julian is free'. Conservative MP David Davis spoke of his opposition to extradition saying “The successful extradition of Julian Assange would effectively criminalise investigative journalism as espionage. It would set a legal precedent allowing the prosecution of anyone who breaks the duty of silence on classified American information and state sponsored crime."  

Stella Assange told the crowd that Julians' incarceration and torture is a "deliberate signal to prevent scrutiny of authoritarian regimes".  

Having previously spoken to Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges for her ongoing 'In Conversation' series, Stella Assange this month sat down for a wide reaching discussion with former UK Ambassador Craig Murray, their interview by chance being interrupted by a call from Julian to Stella while filming. They spoke of myriad issues including Craig's time in the Foreign Office, his whistleblowing and of course about Julian's ongoing case. Craig Murray talked of the 'flagrant abuse and persecution of Julian as an individual that makes him an extremely powerful symbol of freedom, in the same way that Nelson Mandela was a symbol of freedom throughout his imprisonment'. Talking of peoples desires to free Julian because of work he has done exposing war crimes and corruption, Craig Murray noted that he also wanted Julian freed because of the great work that he is still yet to do.  

There are two parts to the interview - Part one is titled 'Demystifying Diplomacy and Espionage' and Part Two: 'Foreign Office and intelligence agencies in Practice'.

You can sign up for advanced access to Stella Assange's continuing 'In conversation' series here: https://linkin.bio/stellaassange.

Finally, US citizens are being urged to contact their representatives and urge them to sign House Resolution 934 which was introduced to the House by Arizona Republican Paul A Gosar and states that "Regular journalistic activities are protected under the First Amendment, and that the United States ought to drop all charges against and attempts to extradite Julian Assange"

Link to resolution: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/934/cosponsors.

Politicians respond to public pressure - let them know your opposition to the continuing unjust detention of Julian Assange who will face a 175 year sentence if extradited to the US for journalism in the public interest.  

We hope to see as many of you as possible on February 20 and 21 in London where we will make our voices heard - until then do all you can to spread the word amongst your friends, family, neighbours and others. The world needs Julian Assange now more than ever. 

Free Assange Campaign 

We Urgently need Your Help

We need your help! Support our campaign so we can organize the Day X protests to free Julian. All donations go towards printing leaflets, banners, placards and other organizational purposes.

Undertaking the next step in the legal process and defending Julian in the High Court costs money. We cannot do it alone and we need your help. Support the UK extradition legal costs and donate to Crowdjustice. 

Donate to our campaign here!