Julian Assange has been imprisoned for 1828 days
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for standing with Julian during this critical time.
Mark your calendars: the next court date is set for May 20th, following last month's hearings.
Updates of the week:
Following the hearing Amnesty International said: “The High Court’s decision today leaves in limbo Julian Assange and all defenders of press freedom — but the fight continues. The US lawyers now have a second opportunity to make diplomatic assurances which the court will consider in May... we know from past cases that such ‘guarantees’ are deeply flawed”.
Last week Stella Assange spoke to the Pat Kenny Show and said that she doesn’t view the ruling as a victory, “the court has invited the United States to modify its arguments so that the United States can have a better chance to extradite him."
https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/stella-assange-wife-of-julian-as-YWY0M2YzMDgzOGE0MThiMzcwMTUzOTQ1MzNiOWM5N2Q=
This month we have seen two important anniversaries for Julian Assange. On the 5th April the fourteenth anniversary of the publication of the ‘Collateral Murder’ video showing the killing of civilians in Iraq, including two Reuters journalists, seriously wounding two children. The infamous video shone a new light on the war in Iraq and was critical and galvanising support against the conflict.
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1776316093411299815/
On Wednesday President Biden, responding to a question about Australia’s recent request to DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST JULIAN , said that he is 'considering' the request.
https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1778173943691591958
Australian PM Anthony Albanese told reporters President Biden’s comments were ‘encouraging’ and that there is "nothing to be gained" by his continued incarceration.
https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1778365713180151901
Speaking to Sky News WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson said that the case should “never have been brought in the first place”, while separately Julian's’ brother spoke of the huge support for Julian in his home country of Australia where “around 90%” of Australians agree he should be returned home.
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1778170350087397838
Assange Lawyer Jennifer Robinson welcomed President Biden’s comments and urged the US government to “act on them”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhC7UC9gOfM
On April 11th, Julian reached the five-year milestone of his incarceration in HMP Belmarsh, the UK’s most high-security prison, solely for disseminating truthful information. Throughout this period, his health has steadily declined, with a mini-stroke occurring in October 2021, followed by recent broken ribs due to a persistent cough. He remains distanced from his wife, Stella, and their two young children.
https://twitter.com/Stella_Assange/status/1778298644099182728
On the Fifth anniversary Australia’s Journalists union called on their government to take “immediate public action to demand the US government drop the charges against Julian Assange so he can resume life as a free man in Australia".
https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/five-years-is-too-long-albanese-government-must-call-on-the-us-to-drop-assange-charges/
A statement released by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard read: “Julian Assange dared to bring to light revelations of alleged war crimes committed by the USA. It is unacceptable that years of his life have been stolen. He remains arbitrarily detained in the UK on politically-motivated charges, brought by the USA for exposing their suspected wrongdoing....The USA must drop all the charges against Assange, which will allow for his prompt release from UK state custody."
https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/julian-assanges-five-year-imprisonment-in-the-uk-is-unacceptable/
What can you do:
At this crucial time please continue to raise your voices and leave decision makers in no doubt that public opinion is against the extradition of Julian Assange.
Contact your local MP or Representative and let them know that you are against the extradition of Julian Assange.
If you are in the United States contact your representatives and ask that they sign House Resolution 934: "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." Here is a link to the resolution:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/934/cosponsors
Take action to protect press freedom: Tell the Biden administration to drop the Assange case now. Check out this handy tool by the Freedom of the Press Foundation and ask your friend to act now! Write to the White House, Call the White House main comment line, Write to the Department of Justice, Call the DOJ main comment line.
https://freedom.press/assange/
Support "Anything to say?" in tour:
Monument dedicated to Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden will be traveling to Milan (18 may), Napoli (15 may), Rome (1 june) and Bologna (8 june). Support their action here:
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1777669150875209854
US update:
Finally, we pass our condolences to friends and family of Marty Goodman, member of US Assange Defense and ‘tireless activist for Julian Assange and political prisoners everywhere.’
More on Marty: https://assangedefense.org/press-release/remembering-marty-goodman/
How to support Julian:
The US government possesses unlimited resources to pursue its persecution of Julian Assange. However, we solely depend on you, the public, to advocate for his freedom. Every contribution made to the Free Assange campaign supports our efforts. Please consider becoming our patron and signing up for monthly donations of £5, £10, or more. Your donation will truly make a difference!
More details here: https://freeassange.org/donate/
Free Julian Assange