April 11th marks the 2 year anniversary of when Julian Assange was illegally removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy and trafficked to Belmarsh Prison (known as the Gitmo of the UK). We are assembling once again to demand that Julian be set free and the charges against him get dropped.
We are honored to once again be organizing with the #FuckCensorship movement to coordinate protests in both DC and LA
LA, DC and Nationwide Sister Events
Action 4 Assange is proud to announce multiple events taking place across the United States on April 10th and 11th. We have events planned out in LA and DC for both days. To help find a local event in your area, please join our Discord Server for more information
Los Angeles Event Schedule
April 10th; We will be hosting a public media and organizer press panel specifically focused on why and how Julian Assange’s trial impacts them. To RSVP for this event please contact Steve SPSND@protonmail.com
April 11th @ Noon; #WeAreAllAssange #FuckCensorship March Start Location; CBS Columbia Square, 6121 Sunset Blvd, 90028 Ending Location; CNN Los Angeles, 6430 Sunset Blvd, 90028
Washington DC Event Schedule
April 10th; 11am to 1pm – Rally at the Ecuadorian Embassy 2535 15th St NW, DC 20009 2pm to 4pm – Rally at the British Embassy 3100 Massachusetts Ave NW, DC 20008
April 11th; Noon to 2pm – Rally at the Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave NW,DC 20503
Action 4 Assange only holds fundraisers to make events like these possible. If you are interest in supporting us you can find our fundraiser here.
The hashtag #CloversForAssange was created last year as a way to galvanize support for award-winning journalist, publisher, torture victim, and political prisoner, Julian Assange. The hashtag went viral, and now the clover has become a way for supporters to recognize each other internationally.
Action4Assange is taking this concept peacefully into the physical space for our Saint Patrick’s Day #CloversForAssange protest March in Washington, DC! You can find a full list of sister events on www.CloversForAssange.com
We are honored to be working in solidarity with The Convo Couch who are hosting the #FuckCensorship peaceful assemblies and marches from CNN to NPR to Google.
First Day of Peaceful Events (St Patrick’s Day)
Join Us! 3/17 @ Noon outside Fox News 400 North Capitol St NW
First Peaceful Assembly – Fox News; 400 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001 March to the offices CNN up North Capitol St NE Second Peaceful Assembly – CNN; 820 First St NE, Washington, DC 20001
#FuckCensorship
Begins alongside #CloversForAssange at CNN; 820 First St NE, Washington, DC 20001 March to NPR further up North Capital St NE Third Peaceful Assembly – NPR; 1111 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002 March to Google down North Capital St NW and a Right Fourth Peaceful Assembly – Google; 25 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Second Day of Peaceful Events
At the current time, the peaceful assembly on March 18th is scheduled to take place outside of the Department of Justice at Noon 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530
BYOP – Be Your Own Protest! #CloversForAssange
We are encouraging supporters who cannot attend the DC actions to host their own #CloversForAssange, or related events, on March 17th a/o 18th. If you are interested in organizing your own events, please contact us for support and promotion on Twitter or email actionforassange@protonmail.com
You can support these actions currently by using our GoGetFunding. Thank you so much for sharing these events and for the support which makes this all possible.
We are all aware that big tech companies are censoring any content about Julian Assange and his political rendition. We are asking members of the Free Assange community to help break the online censorship by using more traditional means of public engagement. By using billboards, radio ads, etc to help amplify awareness about his situation we cannot be so easily hidden from the general public.
The hope is to continue to grow our community of vocal supporters, and the best way to do that is by asking people to take action. This week’s Call To Action is to ask other activist, friends, and co-workers to take part in the recent calls to actions.
If you have already taken these actions, please consider doing them a second (or third time) sharing different pieces of information each time. As always, please be respectful and polite when encouraging people to support Julian.
A recent set of bills have been released in the House of Representatives by Mrs. Gabbard and Mr. Massie about amending the Espionage and calling for an immediate end to the rendition of Julian Assange.
Please take a moment to use This Tool to find your Congress persons and demand that they cosponsor these two major pieces of legislation. Contacting Congress is a website which lets you look up the phone number, email, and social media profiles of your Reps and Senators.
Contact Your City Council!
I also ask that each of you reach out to your city council people to have them demand support of the bill from the Congressional members that represent your city.
Ask your City Council to speak up about Julian’s situation. The information below is a motion passed by Australian Councils that have spoken out in support of Julian Assange.
This Motion from the Melbourne City Council about their support for Julian and Wikileaks with your local councils.
This Article about Melbourne’s support Julian Assange is also another encouraging bit of information which can help provide perspective to your local councilfolk.
The Australian government has dropped or delayed many cases recently against journalists and whistle-blowers. We are hoping to press the AU parliament to drop the charges against David McBride.
Please take a moment to email. almost, every member of the Australian parliament and demand the charges against David McBride get dropped immediately.
These are two powerful articles (one and two) about David McBride, his stance against war criminals, and the government’s escalating assault on the press. Please share portions of this article with the elected members of the AU parliament and demand the charges against him be dropped.
Hey fellow Assange supporter! Below is a list of a whole lot of communication/media departments at colleges throughout the country, as well as email addresses you can contact. Given that these institutions are shaping the journalists of the future, I encourage you email them asking them to stand with the future of journalism by showing support for Julian Assange. I’ve also included a template email you’re welcome to use!
I’m not expecting any administrations to come through for press freedom, so if you’re interested in helping me compile an additional list of student newspapers and radio stations to contact, please DM me (@saminthecan) on Twitter!
Email Template
Hi,
I’m an advocate for press freedom concerned about the current attacks on journalism that will have consequences for journalists of the future (your students).
As you know, the Trump administration is attempting to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face trial for publishing truthful information and protecting the identity of one of his sources. If these standard journalistic practices are criminalized in an unprecedented use of the Espionage Act, it will have devastating effects on press freedom around the world.
For this reason, leading press freedom and human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch, The ACLU, The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and Amnesty International are calling for an end of the extradition trial and for people concerned with free speech to stand with WikiLeaks and Julian Assange.
I am emailing journalism colleges throughout the country to request that they join in this fight. As an institution shaping the journalists of the future, your school can have a significant impact on the future of journalism by using your social media platforms to voice support with this fight for press freedom.
Please consider posting the following message “We at *university/journalism department name* stand with the many press freedom groups and advocates demanding an end to the extradition of Julian Assange. This fight impacts the futures we are promising our students. We encourage others to voice support. #FreeAssange #FreeAssangeNOW”
I look forward to seeing your support for press freedom.
Julian Assange is an Australian citizen who is actively being tortured in the United Kingdom at the behest of the United States for a court hearing that can easily be referred to as an extraordinary rendition. His home government of Australian, despite the courage of a few parliamentarians, has remained silent and inert as his human rights are so openly violated.
We will be reaching out to virtually all the members of the Australian Parliament demanding that they defend Julian Assange.
The UK Court system has proven once again it is unable to appropriately broadcast or conduct court in a way which is acceptable for the purposes of open justice.
It is time to begin pressuring the courts for a live video feed in full public view, as well as an open media/public gallery for any who wish to attend. The level of diligence shown by the courts is unacceptable and inappropriate to say the least.
Below is an email list of UK Court complaint emails which we have successfully pressured in the past. We demand that this case be open, transparent, and in full public view. If the courts are unable to deliver such basic functions the case must be thrown out.
During the second week of Julian’s extra-ordinary rendition hearing we have a single location during the week located directly outside of the US Department of Justice. 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530
All rallies will take place between 3pm to 6pm.
Please join us in making noise outside of the DoJ and demand an end to the show trial of Julian Assange.
The scales of justice have been knocked over and the fate of our free press hangs in the balance. The most direct line to Julian’s freedom is through an immediate presidential pardon, and we need public pressure to make this happen.
I am asking the #FreeAssange community to call, email and submit the form demanding that Julian Assange be set free immediately!
We are calling on the Department of Justice to immediately end the illegal and extraordinary rendition of Julian Assange. Back on Week 60 we started contacting different elements of the Justice Department to educate them on Julian’s situation, and why this case needs completely dismissed.
We are asking everyone to continue this pressure and demand an immediate end to this unlawful show trial. The information below are multiple examples of good resources to share, and it is vital to educate their employee.
Action 4 Assange is honored to announce that we are working to distribute the recent call by Reporters Without Boarders to resort the basic principle of Press Freedom to the United States. The goal is to force the hand of federal Congressional candidates and office holders into supporting these necessary changes.
Please join us in sending this Article and the associated PDF to the Congress critters and hopefuls listed below. We will be continually updating this list throughout the length of Julian’s rendition hearing. At the bottom of this page there is an example letter, but we ask you either modify it, muse from it, or write a letter all your own.
The Nat-Sec 6 A group of particularly depraved of Democrats wrote an open letter to Pompeo demanding answers and telling him to remove Julian from the Ecuadorian Embassy. I will be including others who are seeking their seats or replaced them in that seat already. Schumer, Menendez, Dick Durdin, Engel(Currently holds office, but lost the primary to Jamaal Bowman), Feinstein, and Nadler scheduling_schumer@schumer.senate.gov info@menendezfornj.com Juan_Pachon@foreign.senate.gov Steven_Sandberg@menendez.senate.gov info@dickdurbin.com bryant.daniels@mail.house.gov info@bowmanforcongress.com press@bowmanforcongress.com contact@feinsteinforca.com webmaster@feinstein.senate.gov info@jerrynadler.com
I am writing you today to as part of a campaign to demand that elected officials and candidates for the US House and Senate work alongside Reporters Without Boarders to restore Press Freedom to the United States of America. RSF is calling for decisive foundational changes and an open national dialogue to properly address the assaults on the free press over the past decades.
Please take a moment to read and respond to the statement and associated PDF from Reporters Without Boarders.
Statement By Reporters Without Boarders; https://rsf.org/en/news/2020-us-elections-eight-recommendations-protect-press-freedom
Recommendations To The US Government; https://rsf.org/sites/default/files/recommendations_for_the_us_media_policy.pdf
I look forward to seeing your timely announcement and clearly worded position on this critical issue.
For the rest of this week Congress will be in session and we need your help getting on contact with them. As always we want to build support for Julian and educate the Congress critters about his situation.
We have deployed this same toolkit in the past, but we would like to encourage everyone to use them again to push both State and Federal representatives to demand Julian’s freedom.
I would recommend that everyone request an appointment to meet with your local representatives. Congress will go back into recess on the first day of Julian’s hearing and will not be returning until after it is over. During that time many will be returning to their district to campaign and this is the perfect time to drive this issue home.
Toolbox Resources – 1. https://resist.bot is an online web-tool that send free faxes for you to BOTH state or national Legislators. ResistBot can be used via text messaging, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and/or iMessage to send personally written faxes, as quickly as you can type them.
2. https://www.contactingcongress.org is a website which offers a simple search format for people to find the addresses and phones for all Federal Congressional Representatives. This includes the Phone Number and Address for their local offices inside their district. Engaging the local offices with personal phone calls and hand written letters is the most effective way to capture the attention of Congressfolk and their staff members.
The Courage Foundation put out a call to action of their own asking everyone to engage in Decentralized Action in support of Julian Assange. Please join their campaign HERE and do what you can with the time/money that you have!
You can find posters and flyers from Somerset Bean or you can use these black and white signs Andrew made. Tag @Action_4Assange on Twitter with your actions and we will help amplify them!
We are approaching Julian’s hearing very rapidly, and making noise is extremely important. This week we are going to focus on contacting different departments and offices within the government to demand an immediate end to his rendition. I will include links to news articles you can share about Julian’s torture, trial, and imprisonment.
First I would like to encourage everyone to contact the US Pardon Attorney’s Office and demand the a Presidential Pardon be given immediately. Email; USPardon.Attorney@usdoj.gov
Information To Share The hope is to make enough noise that this becomes an issue that the Justice Department cannot ignore. Please share information with them about Julian’s trial, the risk to free press, and the torture he has endured.
Inspired by Kevin Gosztola’s recent video asking supporters to take up a role in demanding a better video and audio connection for reporters during Julian’s hearing, we have composed a list complaint lines to the different elements of the UK courts and prison system.
There have been consistent issues during Julian’s time in Belmarsh with the courts improper handling of their phone systems which allow anyone to call in and observe the court proceedings live.
Please join us for the rest of this month in contacting different elements of the UK legal system demanding that journalists and the public be given proper access to Julian’s court proceedings.
Sample Letter (It is always best to write your own)
Hello,
I am reaching out to you today because Julian Assange is a political prison being detained within Her Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh for nearly 500 days, and has been held without charge since June 24th, 2020. The UK courts/prisons must take immediate action to ensure the proper technology and staff levels are met to guarantee journalists and the general public can have access to his hearing via phone and video connection.
On August 14th, 2020 Julian Assange appeared in court, but the journalists and members of the public calling in to observe the trial were improperly connect to a different courtroom entirely. This caused those members of the public to be able to hear or report first-hand on this high-profile rendition.
Mr. Assange’s trial is one of the most defining legal battles of our century and the UK courts/prisons has failed to ensure the public can witness adequately. This must change immediately and we demand a statement be issued immediately to correct this further injustice in the UK’s legal system.
We are releasing next week’s call to action a bit early because of the immediate nature of the events. We will be focusing on two recent developments out of English, the ASLEF’s member submitting a letter in support of Julian.
ASLEF; The Train Drivers’ Union
The ASLEF is a union of around 20,000 train and freight drivers throughout the UK. Recently a member of the union submitted a motion to have the union speak up in support of Julian Assange.
Let’s help our friend across the sea in speaking to the ASLEF and ask them to recognize this motion and action in support of Julian!
This week we are asking our community to reach out to their local city councils about statements of support for Julian Assange and a free press. The easiest way to find the contacts for your local council is simply to search for your city’s website.
Information To Share;
I recommend sharing This Motion from the Melbourne City Council about their support for Julian and Wikileaks with your local councils.
This Article about Melbourne’s support Julian Assange is also another encouraging bit of information which can help provide perspective to your local councilfolk.
I recommend reaching out as soon as possible because there is most likely only 1 or 2 council meetings left before the trial begins at September.
As always, write a letter from your heart and be as encouraging as possible. If you aren’t sure what to say, you can use this template below.
Hello Councilperson,
I am a resident of your city and I am writing you today because I want to encourage you to stand up for free speech and a free press. Julian Assange, the founder and publisher of Wikileaks, is being held in the Guantanamo Bay of the UK known as Belmarsh. On September 7th he will be returning to court to defend himself against US extradition and the threat of 175 years in prison for exposing war crimes.
Tomorrow the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, will be meeting with President Donald Trump to celebrate the signing of the new trade deal. President Obrador has vocally supported Julian Assange thanks to the pressure of organized labor in Mexico and we are seeking to have him pressure President Trump.
I compiled a list of emails from Mexican Consulates around the world so we can collectively ask President Obrador to ask Trump to immediately release Julian Assange.
We are asking everyone to be as respectful as possible when contacting the consulates! This is a copy of the message that I sent to the consulates.
You can send an email to everyone at once, or one at a time. Just make sure they are personalized and direct to President Obrador.
This week is Julian Assange’s birthday, July 3rd, and ask that everyone honor they occasion with some type of personal action. Many people around the world are supporting Julian through in person rallies, single person street protests, or with digital marches.
Posters and Banner Drops!! Many people have already taken up this call to action, but hang posters everywhere! Light poles, street signs (on the back), NOT TREES, over passes, etc! (Cheap towels and tablecloths make great banners) Action 4 Assange Posters and Posters By Bean to print/hang around town.
Educating Local Media On The Situation
We will be using our leverage as a community to contact local media companies about Julian’s situation and the threat of extinction that their profession faces. We are calling for people to send their local media companies articles and updates on Julian’s situation.
Expanded Scope of Indictment https://youtu.be/OQ-T7yOK9gA Taylor’s recent video breaks down the expanding scope of the “Conspiracy to Commit Computer Intrusion Charge”
In an effort to remind people what Wikileaks and Julian Assange have accomplished, please take a moment this week to make a couple posts sharing out the first documentary of our Teach-In series! Getting a group of friends together for a watch party is another great way to help share information around. We have our second documentary in production right now which will focus on the incarceration of Chelsea Manning, and the information she revealed.
September Protests In DC
We will be hosting a second round of protests for the second round of Julian’s extradition hearing, but we need you with us!
This week’s call to action is simply saying “Thank you” to the world leaders who have recently spoken out for Julian Assange. Many people understand the political risks of supporting Julian, yet 47 different influential political leaders from across the political spectrum signed an open letter supporting him. You can view the open letter here.
We would like to encourage everyone to write letters to Julian this week and encourage others to do the same. Please share your appreciation, encouraging news, as well as recent events that you find inspirational.
Supporting Targets and Journalists
Please donate if possible, if not please share their fundraiser links across social media!
Each week we are asking everyone to take some time to be the local protest for Julian Assange. Anything from one person sit-ins at local media stations, hanging posters on telephone poles (not trees), banner drops on over-passes, or passing out flyers on the street makes a big difference.
We are asking everyone to not only take action for Julian, but also against police brutality, unaccountability, and racism. Find your local chapter for Black Lives Matter or the Democratic Socialists of America and get involved in their protests.
Hang Posters and Do Banner Drops!! This is something we take about quite often, but counter-propaganda is very important! Light poles, street signs (on the back), NOT TREES, public fences, over passes, etc! (Cheap towels, bed sheets or tablecloths + paint + zipties make great banners) Action 4 Assange’s George Floyd Solidarity Posters Action 4 Assange Posters and Posters By Bean Find a local print shop (or do it at home) and hang them up around town. It takes roughly an hour to hang 100 posters using staples or tape.
** Important ** The legality of hanging posters and dropping banners varies from state to state, and sometimes county to county. Please check your local laws before assuming this risk.
Shaming The National Security State
Those Who Asked For Assange To Be Sold; These are the social media accounts and one of the local officer numbers of the Senator’s who demanded Julian’s asylum be revoked. https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1012446834760011779
Bob Menendez – @SenatorMenendez Local Phone# 973-645-3030 Dick Durbin – @SenatorDurbin Local Phone# 312-353-4952 Richard Blumenthal – @SenBlumenthal Local Phone# 203-330-0598 Ed Markey – @senmarkey Local Phone# 617-565-8519 Michael Bennet – @SenBennetCO Local Phone# 303-455-7600 Chris Coons – @SenCoonsOffice Local Phone# 302-736-5601 Joe Manchin – @Sen_JoeManchin Local Phone# 304-342-5855 Jeanne Shaheen – @SenatorShaheen Local Phone# 603-647-7500 Dianne Feinstein – @SenFeinstein Local Phone# 415-393-0707 Mark Warner – @MarkWarner Local Phone# 804-775-2314
Contacting Republican Law Makers You can use resist.bot on most social media platforms, or through text, to send faxes to lawmakers by putting in their zip codes. I will provide multiple different contact methods for each of the law makers. Jim Jordan 44035 / 419-663-1426 / Twitter Thomas Massie 41017 / 859-426-0080 / Twitter Rand Paul 42101 / 270-782-8303 / Twitter
Help Us Make The DC Protests Possible!
September Protests In DC We will be hosting a second round of protests for the second round of Julian’s extradition hearing, but we need you with us! Please join our Discord to organize with us and help us circulate our GoFundMe link to reach our goal!
Supporting Targets and Journalists
Please donate if possible, if not please share their fundraiser links across social media!
Now Is The Time To Take Action! As the nation is gripped by a pandemic, protests, provocateur, and martial law we cannot allow Julian’s struggle to be forgotten. As always we encourage everyone to be peaceful and be safe, but we must continue our actions in the street.
unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group. “factory workers voiced solidarity with the striking students”
Find your local chapter for Black Lives Matter or the Democratic Socialists of America and get involved in their protests. While you protest against organized police violence, systemic abuses of power, and complete unaccountability for government employees keep in mind this is the same system of oppression that has Julian imprisoned as well.
If you aren’t near a major city, it doesnt mean you cant protest, as we encourage everyone to engage in Decentralized Activism above all else. Being the one person in your community makes a big difference and a much larger impact than most people realize.
Hang Posters and Do Banner Drops!! This is something we take about quite often, but counter-propaganda is very important! Light poles, street signs (on the back), NOT TREES, public fences, over passes, etc! (Cheap towels, bed sheets or tablecloths + paint + zipties make great banners) Action 4 Assange’s George Floyd Solidarity Posters Action 4 Assange Posters and Posters By Bean Find a local print shop (or do it at home) and hang them up around town. It takes roughly an hour to hang 100 posters using staples or tape.
Amnesty International Needs To Act Now!
As the leading international organization defending human rights, Amnesty International has truly failed in defending Julian as they should. As of the latest publication Julian Assange has still failed to appear as a prisoner of conscience. Help us contact Amnesty International and demand they take action on behalf of Julian Assange.
This week we are putting out some very simple calls to action. For starters be safe and travel with a friend. The true colors of the rot within our society and many people throughout it are being hurt. It is crucial to remain peaceful and safe while you are out this week, and going forward. If you are attending events right please act as the peace keepers and medics, not as a fire starter.
This week we are encouraging everyone to take a peaceful action in their own community to raise awareness about Julian Assange at this time when everyone has become must more awake and aware of the world around them.
Ribbons 4 Assange Around the world people have begun hanging yellow ribbons with Free Julian Assange, or related messaging on it and putting them up in public area.
— People For Assange (@people4assange) May 17, 2020
Posters and Banner Drops!! Many people have already taken up this call to action, but hang posters everywhere! Light poles, street signs (on the back), NOT TREES, over passes, etc! (Cheap towels and tablecloths make great banners) Action 4 Assange Posters and Posters By Bean to print/hang around town.
Share the first part in our Teach-In series! In an effort to remind people what Wikileaks and Julian Assange have accomplished, please take a moment this week to make a couple posts sharing out the first documentary of our Teach-In series! Getting a group of friends together for a watch party is another great way to help share information around. We have our second documentary in production right now which will focus on the incarceration of Chelsea Manning, and the information she revealed.
September Protests In DC We will be hosting a second round of protests for the second round of Julian’s extradition hearing, but we need you with us! Please join our Discord and help us circulate our GoFundMe link!
Digital Action; Contacting Republican Law Makers You can use resist.bot on most social media platforms, or through text, to send faxes to lawmakers by putting in their zip codes. I will provide multiple different contact methods for each of the law makers. Jim Jordan 44035 / 419-663-1426 / Twitter Thomas Massie 41017 / 859-426-0080 / Twitter Rand Paul 42101 / 270-782-8303 / Twitter
Julian Assange & Journalism Face Certain Death Unless We Organize Now!
The second phase of WikiLeaks founder and publisher, Julian Assange, begins on Sept 7, 2020. He is currently on remand in Covid-ridden Belmarsh prision in London. UN Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, has stated repeatedly that Assange has been subjected to prolonged, psychological torture. If extradited to the US, he faces 17 charges under the Espionage Act, a show trial, and 175 in prison for the 2010 publication of Collateral Murder, the Iraq/Afghan War Logs, the Gitmo Files, and Cablegate.
This would set the precedent that any journalist can be prosecuted by any country seeking retaliation for the disclosure of their crimes!
We are asking you to organize with us!
In February, Action4Assange held demonstrations and events in Washington DC and Arlington, VA during the first round of Julian’s hearing. These events we co-sponsored by Code Pink, Popular Resistance, Veterans For Peace, People’s Power Assembly, Unity4J, and the 1vs5i campaign.
We call upon you to activate the members within your respective organization for coordinated demonstrations across the globe!
Action4Assange is producing a series of teach-ins, designed to educate/bring up to date everyone concerned about the fate of journalism, human rights, and rule of law. Please help distribute this informative mini-documentary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iSkhnS0Xag
Together, we can save the life on an innocent man and save press freedom for generations!
With it being the month of way we have put a heavy focus into contacting the different organized labor groups around the world. This week we are going to continue that theme by reaching out to different chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Democratic Socialist of America The DSA is a political organizing institution that spans the entire country. Political identity aside, they focus a lot of energy on issues of war and humans right quite often. We are asking people to share the first Teach-In with them, as well as up-to-date articles on Julian’s situation. Teach-In One “Who is Julian Assange?”
Share the first Teach-In with 10 people! So everyone hates chain letters, but its important to get the message out about the Julian’s situation the best we can. Sharing the teach-in can be a great way to start a conversation with other friends/loved ones about the current threat to the free press. Teach-In One “Who is Julian Assange?”
Supporting Targets and Journalists
Please donate if possible, if not please share their fundraiser links across social media!
This weeks actions will focus on getting different organizations making statements about Julian Assange and the threat to global press freedom that his case represents. We will also be continuing to contact labor organizations in the United States in an attempt to build solidarity with workers and organizers across the country.
Help Plan The September Protests in DC! You can join the Discord to help organize We also need people to help share the GoFundMe
Asking Organizations To Join The Action! Often times organizations are willing to respond to public pressure, and providing them with updated information, link to statements from other groups, and information from the UN.
Contacting the IBEW As part of our continuing outreach to different members of organized labor, we are randomly selecting different local and state branches of the IBEW about Julian’s situation. Please, as always, be polite when you are contacting different people and dont take any differences in opinions personally. (Tool; http://www.ibew.org/Tools/Local-Union-Directory)
Seventh District Representative Steven Speer (817) 557-1611 / IVPD_07@IBEW.org
Local Chapter 33 Anna Lascurain (732) 299-6212 / ibewbm@yahoo.com
Ninth District Representative John O’Rourke (415) 398-2202 / IVPD_09@IBEW.org
With the month of May standing as a symbol as international worker solidarity, we are going to use this week’s action to contact labor leaders and worker groups around the world! Please make sure to be respectful!
1. Provide recent news and updates about Julian’s situation for them to distribute to their membership. 2. We should educate and encourage them to start groups similar to Doctors 4 Assange and Lawyers 4 Assange, but specific for their trade. 3. We can also ask them to have the organizations issue statements on Julian’s behalf about his trial and treatment. 4. Ask for a point of contact about who in the organization would handle a request like this. 5. You can always share Action 4 Assange’s contact information; Email ActionForAssange@ProtonMail.com
Mike Pompeo is a GOON! On World Press Freedom Day the Spook known as Secretary Pompeo released a tweet praising journalists who work in repressive environments.. Give this creep a flyby middle finger. “We commend the efforts of journalists working in repressive environments to support the free flow of accurate information, including on #COVID19. We call for the immediate release of all journalists imprisoned for their reporting. #WPFD20” https://mobile.twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1256737003179323394
September DC Protest and GoFundMe Launched! Please contribute and share the official Action4Assange GoFundMe to help us get to DC this September for Julian’s court trial. We will have additional details on dates as this is a 3 week long hearing. Please begin the initial planning steps for joining us in DC or holding a protest in your own community!
Welcome back to the Action4Assange! This week we will be focusing our efforts on media institutions, supporting whistleblowers/Activist/Journalists, as well as pushing back against the expanding surveillance state.
Julian’s Court Trial Effects All Journalists! Reach out to these difference media organizations and demand better coverage of Julian’s extradition hearing. Lets explain to them the threat all journalists face if he is sent to the USA for a secret court case under Special Administrative Measures (SAMs) and other equally insane gag orders.
Each #FreeAssangeVigil we will be providing coordinated actions for everyone to take, if they so choose, as they are watching/listening to us live. Please share these page as well as the vigil!
Thank you so much for taking action!
Join The Discord CommunityClick Here Help coordinate events, volunteer behind the scenes, and build a community with us!
Those Who Asked For Assange To Be Sold; These are the social media accounts and one of the local officer numbers of the Senator’s who demanded Julian’s asylum be revoked. Let’s take this time to educate them about the facts of Julian’s case this evening! https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1012446834760011779
Bob Menendez – @SenatorMenendez Local Phone# 973-645-3030 Dick Durbin – @SenatorDurbin Local Phone# 312-353-4952 Richard Blumenthal – @SenBlumenthal Local Phone# 203-330-0598 Ed Markey – @senmarkey Local Phone# 617-565-8519 Michael Bennet – @SenBennetCO Local Phone# 303-455-7600 Chris Coons – @SenCoonsOffice Local Phone# 302-736-5601 Joe Manchin – @Sen_JoeManchin Local Phone# 304-342-5855 Jeanne Shaheen – @SenatorShaheen Local Phone# 603-647-7500 Dianne Feinstein – @SenFeinstein Local Phone# 415-393-0707 Mark Warner – @MarkWarner Local Phone# 804-775-2314
We have seen a dramatic raise in public support for Julian Assange among activists and regular citizens across the country and across the world.
Every Thursday (and hopefully every day) we are encouraging supporters spend ONE HOUR of their time to pressure US elected officials on the state and federal levels to immediately end the extradition of Julian Assange and ensure his health and safe release from Belmarsh prison (the Guantanamo Bay of the UK).
We will not be providing templates or pre-written messages, instead we will be providing tools for people to use. We encourage everyone to write and speak in their own words to their representatives, and other officials across the country.
All we ask is you engage politely!
Toolbox Resources – 1. https://resist.bot is an online web-tool that send free faxes for you to BOTH state or national Legislators. ResistBot can be used via text messaging, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and/or iMessage to send personally written faxes, as quickly as you can type them.
2. https://www.contactingcongress.org is a website which offers a simple search format for people to find the addresses and phones for all Federal Congressional Representatives. This includes the Phone Number and Address for their local offices inside their district. Engaging the local offices with personal phone calls and hand written letters is the most effective way to capture the attention of Congressfolk and their staff members.
Please spend as much time as you can using these free tools to politely pressure your representative (in multiple ways, and through multiple avenues) with us every Thursday.
We can free Julian Assange, but only if we act together.
Action 4 Assange is holding a series of peaceful protests and demonstrations in the nation’s capital during part one of Julian Assange’s full extradition hearing beginning Monday Feb. 24, 2020 through Friday Feb. 28, 2020. This initiative is sponsored by Code Pink, Veterans For Peace, Woman Against Military Madness, Green Party of Ohio and Popular Resistance.
Show your support for Australian award-winning journalist Julian Assange by contributing to our Support for Julian Assange Awareness project.
On Monday Feb. 24, the first day of the full extradition hearing, a compilation video will be posted including a mash-up of video statements of support for this brave journalist and publisher.
We are asking indie media journalists and production to join us by submitting a video clip expressing your support for Julian Assange.
Instructions:
PART 1
Film a 30-40 second video clip at your typical filming locationor where you work.
(For on-camera talent and writers) Follow this script: “I’m (your name) of the/with the (show name) and I support Julian Assange because ________.”
(For tech and production crew) Follow this script: “I’m (your name) a/an/the (your position) of the/with the (show name) and I support Julian Assange because _________.”
Please submit the video file as an mp4 by Wednesday Feb. 19, 2020 8pm EST/ 5pm PST.
(Optional, but strongly encouraged) Take a photo holding a sign that reads a message of support for Julian Assange. Your photo will be placed in a collage with other journalists and Assange supporters through ScotsDefendAssange.
Please submit photo as a jpeg or pdf by Wednesday Feb. 19, 2020 8pm EST/ 5pm PST.
The global war on journalists, publishers and whistleblowers accelerated this morning. A 95 page criminal complaint was issued by Brazilian prosecutors charging The Intercept’s co-founder, Glenn Greenwald, with “cyber crimes.” Among the accusations levied against Greenwald is that he played a “clear role in facilitating the commission of a crime.” So, what does “facilitating the commission of a crime” look like in the eyes of the Bolsanaro regime? According to the complaint, it looks like communicating with sources while they were monitoring Telegram chats and/or encouraging sources to delete earlier messages containing information published by The Intercept. Latex body paint isn’t even that thin.
The charges were filed in retribution for a series of articles that ran in The Intercept last year exposing rampant corruption in the far-right Bolsanaro government. Immediate retaliation on the part of the fascist Brazilian government was swift, but flaccid.Their Supreme Court barred the administration from investigating both Greenwald and The Intercept, citing the protections awarded journalists under the Brazilian constitution. At the time, which was all the way back last summer- Greenwald said, “This crucial precedent ensures that not just we, but all Brazilian journalists, can do our jobs, even in the Bolsanaro era, without fear of official retaliation from the state.” So what the hell happened between August 2019 and today? To put it bluntly– nothing. And that’s the problem.
The Trump administration filed 18 charges against Wikileaks publisher and multiple award winning journalist, Julian Assange, in May 2019 to a whimper among major establishment Western outlets. And while independent media organizations have and continue to sound the alarm for press freedom, support for Assange ranks much further behind the 2020 presidential election. Today, these same media outlets, big and small, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the State Department and viewer supported shows such as mine, nearly unilaterally stood with Greenwald and The Intercept. Most of us even made the connection that Greenwald’s charges are cut from the same soiled cloth as Julian’s. At the time of this writing, however, not a single presidential candidate has remarked on Glenn’s charges. And we all know where the candidates stand on Assange.
The 5th of November, a UK holiday known as Guy Fawkes Night, is truly an international day of dissidence and protests known as the Million Mask March. Join millions around the world in fighting back against the horrors of government corruption, the militarization of our planet, blatant violations of our privacy, and the use of the police to enforce the will of tyrants.
If there is no protest listed near you, PLEASE consider being the protest for your community. You can email MillionMaskMarch2019@ProtonMail.com to have your protest (Personal or Public) added to the list!
Sen. Bernie Sanders has amassed more volunteers than any other 2020 presidential candidate, he noted to 7,000 volunteers on a conference call Aug. 27. He has more small and individual donors, and the most diverse base in the democratic 2020 field, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. Sen. Sanders has built this army of supporters by championing labor, LGTBQ+ rights, going after Wall St., big Pharma, CEOs, banks and most recently, the corporate media bias. Bernie, to the casual observer, is THE candidate for the average American who has long suffered under unfettered capitalism and a media complicit in perpetuating false narratives in support of the status quo.
So why the hell won’t Sanders say Julian Assange’s name out loud?
Action 4 Assange’s own Taylor Hudak published the first and only complete list of presidential candidate statements on Julian Assange. The totality of Bernie’s remarks are contained within this tweet, written 44 days after Julian was dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
The Sanders campaign is marketed as a worker collective. It has a union. Independent journalists work for Team Sanders. David Sirota and Brie Gray know how important it is to stop, as journalist Chris Hedges puts it, the slow motion crucifixion of Julian Assange. They have not said a damn word. There is an axiom among US progressives that goes, “Bernie Sanders listens to his base, and we can move him to the left.” I would challenge and plead with those progressives to make the case to Team Sanders for the life of Julian Assange and the future of press freedom.
I hold no deep convictions that Sanders will make it through another openly rigged primary and into a general election to challenge Trump. Should that happen, due to his silence on this issue, I cannot begin to speculate how a President Sanders would treat the case of Julian Assange. The current administration has filed a request for extradition, taking the previous administration’s desires and turning them into a possible reality. There are no candidates polling above 5% who have provided written or verbal support for Julian, Wikileaks, Chelsea Manning or whistleblowers in general.
Bernie Sanders has made Medicare For All a cornerstone of his campaign. His apparent refusal to comment on Assange leaves a deeply concerning question to fill that silent space. Are you willing to trade press freedom for health care?
As the United States approaches its 59th presidential election, candidates on both sides of the political spectrum have been debating issues including job creation, education, climate change and health care, among others. However, what has largely been absent from the debate stage is the state of the free press in America and around the world.
In 2019, the world witnessed the United States government, for the first time ever, use the Espionage Act of 1917 against a journalist. To understand a candidate’s perspective on the free press, it is worth understanding the candidate’s perception of this unprecedented use of the Espionage Act. Additionally, there is no better test of a candidate’s dedication to preserving a free press than by his or her perspective on the world’s most persecuted journalist, Julian Assange.
Who is Julian Assange?
Julian Assange is a politically persecuted Australian journalist facing 175 years in a US prison for multi-award winning journalism exposing US war crimes and corruption.
Assange created the non-profit organization WikiLeaks in 2006, which became the first ever media entity to withhold a 100% accuracy rate in reporting.
Throughout the years, Assange has been the recipient of numerous awards and has received recognition from some of the world’s most esteemed intellectuals.
In 2011, former US Colonel Ann Wright wrote an article titled “Instead of attacking WikiLeaks, fix what it exposed,” which provides critical insight to WikiLeaks’ revelations through the perspective of a veteran.
“These revelations are not merely embarrassing. They also contain evidence of government actions and policies that are an abuse of power and that violate international human-rights standards to which we as Americans are committed,” wrote Ann Wright.
In 2010, the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence was unanimously given to Assange by a panel of senior retired intelligence, military, diplomatic officers, including CIA officers for publishing military whistleblower documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The documents which contained evidence of US war crimes and information revealing that the US government misled the public about the wars, are the very same documents for a which he is charged on 17 counts of Espionage and facing a 175 year sentence in a US maximum security prison.
Samuel A. Adams was a CIA analyst and whistleblower who helped reveal during the mid-1960s that the American military intelligence had underestimated the amount of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Adams was challenged yet he persisted. Since 2002 an award in his name has been given to an individual exhibiting integrity and morality. In 2010, that individual was Julian Assange.
Julian Assange
A journalist being charged with espionage poses serious threats to the US Constitution’s First Amendment, which guarantees the right to a free press. If tried and convicted, Assange’s case will set a damaging legal precedent for all journalists.
What do the presidential candidates say?
Since WikiLeaks gained national recognition, many of the 2020 presidential candidates have provided their perspectives on WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and/or his pending case throughout their careers. A compilation of their statements is provided below.
REPRESENTATIVE TULSI GABBARD
(May 15, 2019) In an interview with Joe Rogan (addressed in a Newsweek article), Rogan asked Rep. Gabbard how she would address Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. Rep. Gabbard said she would drop the charges against Assange and pardon Snowden.
Gabbard: “There is not an actual channel for whistleblowers like them to bring forward information that exposes egregious abuses of our constitutional rights and liberties period.”
(June 5, 2019) Rep. Tulsi Gabbard posted a video on Twitter in support of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange as part of her campaign message.
Gabbard: “Charging Assange under the Espionage Act will have a serious chilling effect on our most fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Every American, certainly every journalist, must strongly condemn this anti-Democratic act by the Trump Administration.”
(Published on July 10, 2019) In an interview with New Hampshire journalist Dack Rouleau of overwritten.org, Rouleau asks Rep. Gabbard why it is important to defend Assange.
Gabbard: “What we’re really defending is freedom of speech and freedom of the press… if we don’t stand up for those freedoms and in this case, the freedom of the press, when they are under attack and when they are at peril, then each of us whether as journalists or as everyday Americans, are also facing that threat of having our own personal freedom undermined because really what’s happening with Julian Assange, as well as Chelsea Manning, Snowden and others is the government taking a position that if you are pushing transparency, if you’re putting out information that the government deems will make them look bad or that they don’t like, then they will use the force of law to come after you and make an example of you. And try to prevent anyone else from doing the same. And whether you agree or disagree with what Julian Assange has done or if he’s a good guy or bad guy or whatever these are all irrelevant points because really what we’re talking about is freedom of the press and what’s happening to Julian Assange will very well happen to any other journalist, whether with new media or with main stream media or with any American for that matter who speaks up and speaks out on the truth, our government is showing that if you do that there will be consequences and that’s very dangerous.”
(Dec. 2019) At an event, Gabbard took questions from the audience. Via video link Rouleau addresses with Rep. Gabbard the human rights violations on Julian Assange and how that should be to put to an end.
Rouleau: “Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, recently said that Assange is quote– suffering extreme depression, extreme anxiety and extreme levels of stress (end quote) and there’s question about whether or not he’s going to survive long enough to be extradited to this country. So my question is, what can be done to stop this assault on human rights before it’s too late and he goes down as another victim of the same authoritarian practices that you are talking about?”
Gabbard: “Well thanks Dack, you’ve been a very strong advocate and continuing to raise his plight and this issue. And I think it’s important for us as we’re talking about these Afghanistan papers that have just been released showing lies, fraud and deceit within our own government and what it has cost us– the American people through lives and tax payer dollars. We see see how Julian Assange is being punished and treated so inhumanely for revealing and releasing information that has brought shame and embarrassment to people in our government. That’s really what it comes down to. (inaudible) I’ve been outspoken about this both with you directly Dack throughout the last several months in how dangerous it is so see the freedom of the press so threatened that what is happening to Julian Assange could happen to anybody. We now have journalist like yourself and others who are using different platforms to be able to share and reveal information to report on different events and facts. Anyone could be scooped up and charged and challenged in the way that Julian Assange is. I don’t know off hand the legal remedies available to him. I know he’s got attorneys that are working really hard for him. But I think it’s doing exactly what you’re doing along with so many others continuing to push this issue to the forefront to get more leaders within the world as you mentioned and quoted speaking out on his behalf so that his situation can improve and ultimately those charges should be dropped.”
(Dec. 2019) During a town hall event Salem, NH, student Nour Hijazi asked Rep. Gabbard her opinion on Assange.
Hijazi: “I would like to get your opinion on what’s going on with Julian Assange right now, and how you would handle whistleblowers in a Gabbard administration.”
Gabbard: “Thank you. What’s your name?”
Hijazi: “Nour.”
Gabbard: “Nour, thanks for being here.”
Hijazi: “Thank you.”
Gabbard: “What we have seen in the arrest and the charges against Julian Assange should be of concern to everyone because what this really is threatening is freedom of the press– not a small thing. That because he released information that was embarrassing to our government, these charges occurred. Now we looked and he’s now being incarcerated because of it. Going back and looking at the previous administration, the Obama administration, they were initially looking at filing charges, and I think former Atty. General Eric Holder spoke about this, that they were looking at filing charges, but didn’t because of their concern about the precedents it would set in threatening freedom of the press. Whether you are a self-starting journalist and blogger or you’re working for a major media corporation, to have this cloud cast over you, to have to think about whether or not the release of information would result in charges and incarceration because it’s embarrassing to our government is something that threatens the core of our constitutional foundation and this precedents cannot be set. So if I were president today I would drop those charges against Julian Assange and anyone else who is being threatened under these same circumstances. (applause) Thank you (inaudible). It’s an important question, and we can’t forget what, again, we started this conversation here tonight about our constitution– the bedrock of this country. Our democracy is far from perfect.”
JACOB HORNBERGER
Libertarian presidential candidate Jacob Hornberger is the founder and president of Future of Freedom Foundation (FFF), a non-profit organization established in 1989. According to the organization’s website, the purpose of FFF “is to advance freedom by providing an uncompromising moral and economic case for individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government.”
Being that the organization is a non-profit, FFF remains separate from Hornberger’s campaign. However, on the website, Hornberger does reveal his stance on Julian Assange and whistleblowers in an article he published in late 2019 titled “Pardon Assange and Snowden.”
(Dec. 19, 2019) At the introduction of the article, Hornberger addresses a piece published in the Washington Post, which revealed that the United States lied and deceived its way into war with Afghanistan. Hornberger then transitions to Assange and Edward Snowden by first acknowledging that Assange revealed truths just as the Washington Post did in its article titled “At War With the Truth.”
“They simply published records that revealed the truth about the deep state. That’s why the deep state has condemned and vilified them as bad people, even as traitors — because they revealed the truth, just like the Washington Post has,” Hornberger wrote in reference to Assange and Snowden.
Hornberger continues to praise Assange’s work through WikiLeaks while strongly condemning the prosecution of whistleblowers and journalists.
“Assange and Snowden deserve immediate pardons, which would enable them to be released from prison and exile and to begin resuming their normal lives,” Hornberger wrote.
Twitter activity
(Dec. 28, 2019) The official campaign Twitter account for Jacob Hornberger, @JacobforLiberty, retweeted Christine Assange, mother of Julian Assange. The retweet includes a comment asking for Assange’s release from Belmarsh Prison and advocating for him to not be extradited to the US.
(Dec. 28, 2019) Hornberger’s official campaign Twitter account tweeted Christine Assange’s latest interview with the Australian newspaper, Herald Sun.
(Dec. 29, 2019) The official campaign Twitter account retweeted the Washington Examiner with a comment using the #FreeAssange tag.
IAN SCHLACKMAN
According to his 2020 presidential campaign website, Ian Schlackman supports whistleblowers—a stance shared universally among members of the Green Party.
On the website, Schlackman wrote: “We’re on a dangerous path. Not only have we criminalized whistleblowers exposing illegal acts of the US Government, such as Edward Snowden. We’re also criminalizing journalists & their sources. Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning & Reality Winner all imprisoned and all representing various parts of our nation criminalizing journalists. Human Rights Watch is warning Assange’s case will have dire consequences for press freedoms worldwide. All of these cases should be ended immediately & fully pardoned.”
(Aug. 7, 2019) Ian Schlackman appeared on the Free Assange Vigil Series and was asked if and how he would address Julian Assange on day one of his presidency.
Schlackman: “I think that you absolutely need to close the case with Julian Assange immediately and whatever the hell is going on with the grand jury and Chelsea and of course, I would pardon Reality Winner as well. Going back to Assange though, the case against him is so wildly dangerous because they’re not just charging him as a whistleblower… but first of all, he’s not even a US citizen and second of all, they’re charging him as a journalist. So where will this end? Will we be able to abduct journalists around the globe the US disagrees with and extradite them and basically Guantanamo them? I mean that’s why this precedent is so unbelievably dangerous.”
DARIO HUNTER
(Nov. 2019) Green Party presidential candidate Dario Hunter was a guest on the Free Assange Vigil series and was asked if he would pardon Julian Assange.
Free Assange Vigil host: “One of the main platforms of the Green Party, which is pretty much unique to then Green Party, is the outward support for whistleblowers and whistleblowers rights. And that also relates to journalists as well. So how would a Hunter administration treat Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning?”
Hunter: “First of all, I just want to talk about the deplorable circumstances that Julian Assange has been subject to. I want to name them and shame the actors involved. The things he’s been subjected to are nothing short of torture– we have to say it because it’s not being described as such in the mainstream media. But it has been described as such by the UN. It has been described as such by multiple sources because he’s been subjected to arbitrary detention with the involvement and the engagement of multiple nations many water-carriers on behalf of this government– this US government effort. And Chelsea Manning as well, of course, has been subjected to all manner of inhuman treatment and we have to acknowledge the fact that this is an international effort motivated by the United States in a way that deprives the basic human rights related to journalistic freedom. That’s what we are talking about here. Many defamatory things have been said about Assange– that he’s a hacker, all sorts of things. He’s a publisher. He’s a journalist. He’s a whistleblower. He’s a hero. The information that he’s made available is information that has lifted the veil, for many people, on all of the nefarious things being done by governments. It’s necessary. It’s a necessary part of human freedom to be able to have freedom of the press. And all of the things that have been done to him, that he has suffered through, have been done in order to squash that.”
Free Assange Vigil host: “Would you pardon Julian Assange?”
Hunter: “Absolutely. Absolutely. No brainer. No brainer. And more than that, to me, the question strikes me as that’s the least that you can do because so much more needs to take place. Yes, pardon, of course. But then you need to dig into all of the things that have been done to him, who’s been involved in them, and we need to hold the people involved responsible. The things that have been done to him are criminal. So we would move from pardoning to dealing with the criminal prosecution of who was involved in the torture of this man and the deprivation of this man from his rights in so many ways. One of the things that stands out to me that was so galling that isn’t really even talked about as much as it should be in some free Assange circles is the fact that he was a citizen of Ecuador. He was extended citizenship, and they yanked that citizenship back and then left him prey to all of these bodies subjecting him to torture motivated by the US. Well, that is a complete violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 15 — everyone has a right to nationality but also they have a right to not be arbitrarily deprived of it. And, to me, that’s one of the many ways it just shows all of the things that this system, this international system, this international cabal is willing to do in order to ensure that it gets its way and that it keeps these secrets under wrap.”
ADAM KOKESH
(Aug. 7, 2019) Adam Kokesh, member of the Libertarian Party, appeared on the Free Assange Vigil Series and was asked if and how he would address Julian Assange on day one of his presidency if he were elected.
Kokesh: “As for my campaign and Julian Assange, pardon on day one no question. In fact, a big part of this platform is that everybody in the United States who has ever been charged with a victimless crime will be immediately pardoned.”
MARIANNE WILLIAMSON
(April 25, 2019) In an interview with comedian Jimmy Dore of The Jimmy Dore Show, Williamson is questioned about her stance on Julian Assange.
Williamson: “I go back and forth. I have a lot of ambivalence on the Julian Assange issue. Early on I saw him as any whistleblower and that he’s very important and the role he was playing and the function he was serving and I was very much aware of the fact that the system suppresses the whistleblower… In this last election it’s not as clear to me. Like who are you working for Julian? You’re just going down on that campaign and not the other campaign so I don’t know I see both sides (inaudible).”
Williamson: “The Julian Assange thing for many of us is a little not as black and white as you see it to be.”
Dore: “Well the Obama Administration’s Justice Department declined to prosecute him and The Washington Post editorial just a few years ago said the same thing—so what would you say the difference between Julian Assange publishing war crimes by the United States released by Chelsea Manning and the difference between Daniel Ellsberg and The Washington Post printing the pentagon papers—they’re both publishers, correct?”
Williamson: “I didn’t think there was any difference until this last thing happened with the election. Now that you’re saying that about the election and that’s where I’m still in process. Before this election, I saw no difference. Until this election and what happened with the election with Hillary Clinton I saw it exactly the same as Daniel Ellsberg.”
(Aug. 25, 2019) During a campaign event in New Market, NH, journalist Dack Rouleau asks Williamson to clarify her position on Julian Assange.
Williamson: “I’m tilting in the direction of if you’re going to stand for whistleblowers, you stand for whistleblowers. And I have to within myself, I have to discern, where is it Marianne that you just don’t like his personality, you know, because his personality is not an issue here. So there is a dangerous shutting down, and this was even true during the Obama Administration, there’s a dangerous shutting down of the whistleblowers. I realize that. And he’s a whistleblower.”
TOM STEYER
(Jan. 2020) At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Rouleau approaches Tom Steyer to ask him if he supports Julian Assange.
Rouleau: (Shakes Steyer’s hand) “Hey, do you support Julian Assange?”
Steyer: “Don’t know enough to have an educated opinion (inaudible).”
(Rouleau and Steyer pose for a photo. Video cuts to Steyer continuing his response.)
Steyer: “I believe that the government has been spying on us, yeah. I know they have. Do I think that’s ok? No. Do I believe the privacy of Americans is being systematically infringed on. (Nods his head.) Do I know enough about this to have an opinion (inaudible) no. I’ll have to do the work, and if you send me stuff, I will.”
Rouleau: “Ok.”
Steyer: “Deal?”
Rouleau: “Have a great night. Thank you very much.”
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS
(Published Feb. 9, 2020) Primo Nutmeg interviews National Press Secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders Briahna Gray. He asks her for Sanders’ stance on Julian Assange.
Primo Nutmeg: “I just wanted to get to a few patron questions if that’s alright. Dan wanted to let you know that he thinks you’re doing a great job, and he wanted to know what Sen. Sanders position is on Julian Assange.”
Gray: “I’m not sure. That’s not something that– for the reasons that I kind of go into in my last question. Um, look, the senator has spoken out frequently about the kind of threats to the press that exist and the kind of lack of appreciation for the risks involved when whistleblowers bring important information to the floor. And to that end, Bernie Sanders is, I believe still the only candidate that has put forward a policy that protects the rights of journalists. But I can’t speak to that particular issue because it’s just not something that the campaign has made a statement on at this point.”
(Published Oct. 3, 2019) Independent journalist Dack Rouleau presses Sen. Bernie Sanders about Julian Assange at a campaign rally.
Rouleau: “Hey, do you support Julian Assange?”
Sanders: “Do I support Julian Assange?”
Rouleau: “Will you pardon him?”
Sanders: (points at the camera) “That’s the wrong… can’t say it just yet. It’s the wrong (inaudible).
Rouleau: “Please, please, please sir. Please.”
Sanders: “I am aware of the issue.”
Rouleau: “Will you pardon him? Commute his sentence? Please.”
(May 24, 2019) An article published in The Intercept examines Sen. Bernie Sanders tweets addressing Julian Assange.
Sanders: “Let me be clear: it is a disturbing attack on the First Amendment for the Trump administration to decide who is or is not a reporter for the purposes of a criminal prosecution.”
GOVERNORDEVAL PATRICK
At a campaign event in Concord, NH, Unity4J spokeswoman and Free Assange Vigil co-host Christy Dopf questioned former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on Julian Assange.
Dopf: “I’m very personally concerned about the Trump Administration’s war on journalism, in particular the persecution of journalist and publisher Julian Assange, who just said recently that he is slowly dying in prison. So what actions, specifically, would you take as president to defend this journalist?”
Patrick: “Well, I don’t know enough about him to offer a point of view. Hello Julian (waves at cameras). But I think that the persecution of journalism and the twisting of the First Amendment so that it justifies propaganda is wrong. And I think what I can do is model a different behavior. Believe me, journalists made my life hard when I was governor but that was their job. And the accountability necessary for successful democracy is a big part of what journalism is supposed to be (inaudible). So I totally get that part, and if that is consistent with what Mr. Assange is about, I hear that. But I am not well enough informed about him to offer a solution for him or a promise for him.”
GOVERNOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER
(2019) Sirius XM’s Olivier Knox interviews Gov. John Hickenlooper. During the interview, Julian Assange and the First Amendment were addressed.
Hickenlooper: “Well the first amendment is one of the most sacred rights we have in the country. But that being said we have clear laws that are designed to protect the employees of our government when they’re working in foreign countries. Oftentimes they are in very dangerous situations that can be compromised easily if information is leaked… But I think the country needs to see you know someone like Mr. Assange… let’s get the facts and see exactly what the decisions he made and what were the sacrifices, and what was he trying to get done? And what were the sacrifices made on that behalf?”
HOWIE HAWKINS
(April 11, 2019) Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins published a statement on his campaign website providing his stance on Julian Assange following Assange’s arrest in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Hawkins wrote: “The freedom of all of the press is threatened by the US indictment of Julian Assange in connection with the publication of U.S. government documents. We must oppose Assange’s extradition to the U.S. because he is unlikely to receive a fair trial in the Eastern District of Virginia, where the intelligence and defense industries are based. We must oppose Assange’s extradition to the U.S because he is likely to face cruel and inhumane treatment… Rather than prosecuting a publisher for reporting the truth, the war crimes and human rights violations exposed by Wikileaks should be prosecuted by US and international courts. Those who committed crimes should be prosecuted, not the journalist who reported them.”
(Published June 1, 2019) In an interview with Primo Nutmeg, a reporter asks Hawkins if he believes WikiLeaks is involved in a Russian plot.
Hawkins: “I don’t know if they’re (WikiLeaks) working for Russia. Assange is working for himself. And I have to tell you, him giving the advise to Donald Jr.– you should protest the election if you lose– I mean he’s dealing with the son of a clansman to become our president, an out and out racist who’s encouraging the right-wing, who’s armed to come out and cause mayhem. I mean those politics are really bad. So you know, if he goes to trial we may find out more. I don’t think he should on this 2010 charge– that’s a whistleblower thing. And he was a publisher, and he should be defended. But his politics in 2010, trying to give advice to Donald Jr. for the campaign, you know working with, you know, that’s bad. I don’t support that at all… so that remains to be seen if he’s working with the Russians or if he’s biased with them. But he should not be prosecuted for publishing the leaks provided by Private Manning.”
(Published June 1, 2019) In an interview with Primo Nutmeg, continued…
Hawkins: “No, not for WikiLeaks. The crime is hacking. That’s a crime. Assange said he didn’t get it from the Russians. The intelligence community said the Russians did it.”
SENATOR COREY BOOKER
(Published Jan. 3, 2020) Journalist Dack Rouleau voices his concerns to Sen. Corey Booker about press freedoms and Julian Assange.
Rouleau: “I’m very concerned about the Trump Administration’s war on journalism, and I’m really disturbed about what’s happening to Julian Assange who’s being locked in solitary confinement and faces extradition to this country. So I’m wondering, as president, what are you going to do to defend this man who has done quite a bit to inform us about what our government is doing in our name.”
Booker: “This is one legal case I don’t know as much clearly as you do, so I’m to going to comment on that because I just don’t know all the facts of his case. I know if people have broken our laws that they should be held accountable. And if he has broken our laws, he should be afforded everything that people in my community, (inaudible), is fair trials, due process and the like. We have a country, as Brian Stevenson says, that treats you better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent. So this individual, I’m going to make sure that we do justice by him… (diverts conversation to fake news and Obamacare) And so sir, I am going to do everything I can, of course, for due process. The media plays a very important role. But this is a little larger context within our society where we have to start addressing the erosion of our institutions, the erosion of trust, and the lurching we’re doing toward sensationalism, toward half-truths, toward misinformation is now polluting our public spheres and our most sacred spaces which are that civic discourse that is essential for a thriving democracy.”
(2016) In a video posted by Press for Truth, reporter Dan Dicks asks Sen. Corey Booker what he thought of the WikiLeaks revelations suggesting that the 2016 primary election was rigged in favor of then-candidate Hillary Clinton.
Booker: “Well, the WikiLeaks are awful and it was unfortunate and I’m glad that the DNC chair (inaudible) stepped aside.”
FORMER GOVERNOR BILL WELD
(April 16, 2019) According to an article published in the Boston Globe, former Gov. Weld spoke with voters while campaigning, and during an exchange with voters, Weld claimed he would pardon Edward Snowden but is undecided on how to address the Julian Assange case.
FORMER CONGRESSMAN BETO O’ROURKE
(Published Sept. 7, 2019) Journalist Dack Rouleau approached former Rep. Beto O’Rourke at the New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention and questions him on Julian Assange.
Rouleau: “Would you support Julian Assange? Would you differ from the Trump Administration in his prosecution of him?”
O’Rourke: “Look, I just make sure that we do not treat the press as the enemy of the people but that we also protect our elections, you know, our democracy from attacks (inaudible). I’m really concerned about the complicity not just between the Trump Administration and Vladimir Putin but the close connection between WikiLeaks and the Russian security services so those are my feelings on the issue. I appreciate the question.”
(May 30, 2019) In an interview with a reporter from Citizen Source published on Medium, the reporter asks former Rep. Beto O’Rourke about his stance on Julian Assange.
O’Rourke: “I want to make sure that we don’t do anything that chills the ability to hold people in positions of public trust accountable to make sure that the public and the press have the facts to make informed decisions. Those are my values without commenting on a specific case.”
SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN
(2019) In an article published in The Washington Times, Sen. Elizabeth Warren provided her perspective on Julian Assange.
Warren: “Assange is a bad actor who has harmed U.S. national security—and he should be held accountable… But Trump should not be using this case as a pretext to wage war on the First Amendment and go after the free press who hold the powerful accountable every day.”
ANDREW YANG
(June 18, 2019) In a video published by journalist Dack Rouleau, Rouleau confronts Andrew Yang at a campaign event in Concord to question his perspective on Julian Assange.
Yang: “I think Julian Assange should stand trial. I’m generally pro-whistleblower and like pro-people trying to call out bad behaviors. But in that particular case he did disclose information that had really no useful purpose except for potential damage to our infrastructure (inaudible). So ya I think he should stand trial.”
SENATOR MICHAEL BENNET
(2018) In an article published on the World Socialist Web Site, it was revealed that Michael Bennet was one of 10 Democratic senators who signed a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence demanding that the Trump Administration call upon the Ecuadorian government to revoke Julian Assange’s asylum and expel him from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
The letter was sent prior to Vice President Pence’s visit to Ecuador in 2018. The contents of the letter indicate that the 10 senators viewed the Vice President’s visit as a unique opportunity to encourage Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno to further persecute Assange in exchange for restored US-Ecuador relations.
Near the conclusion of the letter, the 10 senators ask Pence to please relay their condolences to President Moreno for the deaths of two El Comerico journalists who were abducted in Northern Ecuador by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) a few months prior.
(Dec. 2019) Independent journalist Dack Rouleau of overwritten.org from New Hampshire, who is referenced numerous times throughout this article, confronted Bennet about his signing of this letter addressed to Mike Pence and his overall position on Julian Assange and press freedoms.
Rouleau: “You mentioned Donald Trump’s attack on freedom of the press. Now there’s no more disturbing illustration of this, for me, than the persecution of Julian Assange. You, last year, were one of 10 United States senators who wrote a letter to Vice President Pence imploring him to put pressure on the Ecuadorian government to expel Assange from the embassy in Britain. And now that we see how Assange is being tortured in Belmarsh, and knowing how he’s going to be tortured here, I’m wondering how as president you are going to make amends for this?”
Bennet: “Well, I can actually think of a more egregious example by far, which was the assassination of Khashoggi by the Saudi Arabians, who is a journalist living in the United States of America who was lured to his death in Turkey by the Saudis, whom our intelligence agencies all said was killed by the Saudi Prince. And then Donald Trump just turned his back on it– not standing up for his values. So I disagree on which was more egregious, but I think the latter, and I appreciate your asking the question.”
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
(2010) In an interview with ABC News (Australia), then-Vice President Joe Biden was asked on Meet The Press if the United States should take any measures to stop Assange.
Biden: “We’re looking at that right now. The Justice Department is taking a look at that, and I’m not going to comment on that process.”
The then-Vice President was asked if Assange is a criminal.
Biden: “If he conspired to get these classified documents with a member of the US military, that’s fundamentally different than if somebody drops on your lap—here David, you’re a press person, here is classified material.”
The anchor asks Biden if this case is more like the pentagon papers or a high-tech terrorist.
Biden: “I would argue that it’s closer to being a high-tech terrorist than the pentagon papers.”
MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG
(Oct. 24, 2019) Journalist Dack Rouelau of overwritten.org questions Mayor Buttigieg during a campaign event in Bow, NH. This is the first candidate to be asked about Assange following his in-person court appearance that took place Oct. 21 in London.
Rouealu: “I’m concerned about the Trump’s administration’s war on journalism, as president will you pardon Julian Assange? Will you commute his sentence? He is dying in prison, and he badly needs support in our government. He is a prosecuted Nobel prize-nominated journalist. What will you do to help him?”
Buttigieg is standing on stage with three women seated to his left and a handful of what one may assume is supporters behind him.
Buttigieg: (takes a few steps up stage while continuing to face the audience) “Uh, I’m not going to make any commitment as a candidate to issue a pardon to any individual.”
The crowd applauds Buttigieg’s response.
(2019) In an interview with CBS radio, Mayor Pete Buttigieg was asked about Chelsea Manning being imprisoned for a second time for her refusal to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks.
Buttigieg: “As somebody who was tasked with handling sensitive information, information that could get people killed I took an oath and made promises that I would handle it responsibly. And when you’re involved in divulging classified information that can harm American troops overseas that is not something to be taken lightly.”
CBS News Radio asked about former President Obama’s decision to commute Manning’s sentence.
Buttigieg: “I’m troubled by that.”
CBS News Radio asked if NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is a hero or a villain in his (Buttigieg’s) perspective.
Buttigieg: “When you are trusted with classified information you have made a promise, and if you are not comfortable safe-guarding information that could get Americans killed, then you shouldn’t be in that profession. I certainly agree that we have learned things about abuses and one way or another that needed to come out. But in my view, the way for that to come out is through congressional oversight not through a breach of classified information.”
FORMER HUD SECRETARY JULIAN CASTRO
(Published Sept. 7, 2019) At the New Hampshire Democratic Party Convention, journalist Dack Rouleau approaches former HUD Secretary Julian Castro and asks him his stance on Julian Assange.
Castro: (laughs) “That’s a good question.”
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO
(Published Aug. 17, 2019) Journalist Dack Rouleau confronted Mayor de Blasio and asked if he supported Julian Assange.
de Blasio: “No I don’t honestly… because I believe very much that we have to address the issues that have been covered up, but I don’t think he did it the right way.”
Rouleau: “What do you think he could have done more effectively?”
de Blasio: “When it’s issues where people’s lives may be in danger or national security may be in danger, there has to be some kind of limit. So based on what I know, the impulse to get information out to the public that oftentimes that the government should provide but doesn’t– that’s a good impulse, but I think the way he did it is the wrong way. That’s my feeling.”
(Oct. 13, 2016) Politico published an article concerning WikiLeaks’ release of Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta’s emails.
Mayor Bill de Blasio provided his insight and perspective on the publications.
According to the article, Mayor de Blasio says to reporters: “I think all of us have private lives. All of us have things that are not, historically, subject to public review… And I think it creates a very, very troubling dynamic where there is no privacy of any kind anymore.”
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DELANEY
(April 11, 2019) In a press release found on former Rep. John Delaney’s campaign website, his team includes the following:
“Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States and tried for the charge that he allegedly assisted in hacking into government systems. Journalists are free to publish information that they receive but they are not free to participate in obtaining information illegally. This is the central question in the Assange case. The U.S. government has alleged that Assange assisted in hacking critical and confidential government information and in doing so, endangered the national security interests of the U.S. citizens and the identity of U.S. intelligence assets.”
SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND
(Dec. 12, 2010) According to Sen. Gillibrand’s government website, she urged then-President Obama in an open letter to crack down on “cyber-criminals” following a cyber-attack on MasterCard, Visa and PayPal.
MasterCard, Visa and PayPal unlawfully prevented WikiLeaks supporters from donating to the organization in late 2010. In retaliation, Anonymous launched Operation Payback, which consisted of distributed denial-of-service (DDos) attacks on PayPal following its decision to discontinue the processing of donations to the whistleblowing website, according to a report from RT.
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR
(Oct. 17, 2019) Journalist Dack Rouleau greets a smiling candidate Amy Klobuchar after a political event in Plymouth, NH. The two shake hands and Klobuchar appears cordial and warm until Rouelau asks the inevitable– if she supports Julian Assange.
Klobuchar: (smiling) “Hi.”
Rouleau: “Nice to meet you.”
The two shake hands.
Klobuchar: (still smiling) “Thank you.”
Rouleau: “Hey, do you support Julian Assange?”
Klobuchar: “Uh-uh.”
Rouleau: “Will you pardon Julian Assange if you’re president?”
Klobuchar: “Uh, no (inaudible) I would not, sorry.”
Rouleau: “You would not?”
(Nov. 29, 2010) In a radio interview with WCCO’s Chad Hartman, Sen. Klobuchar encourages a tough punishment on WikiLeaks following the release of the State Department Cables.
In reference to the leak and its subsequent publication, Klobuchar said: “I think it’s an enormous story and it’s more than a story it’s actually an enormous security risk… It really undermines our efforts to work with other countries Secretary of State Clinton just went on noting that, and that it really tears at the fabric of our government when this kind of thing happens. And that’s what I’m concerned about, and that we have to make sure that the person who appears to be the original leaker here– this Private Manning who’s down the food chain here. First of all, why did she have access to all this information first of all I think that’s something we’re going to have to push but then obviously holding her responsible.”
In reference to Manning, Klobuchar said: “A lot of people believe she could get a prison term for the rest of her life, and I think that would be appropriate.”
Klobuchar: “The other piece of this is what responsibility, legal responsibility, WikiLeaks has with their website. If there’s any way we can push that to say that you can’t put illegally obtained documents up on your website, and I think that’s worth it… If we can show that the material on there was stolen that website can actually be taken down. What you do with something like WikiLeaks which has vast amount of material that’s legal and then they put on things that are illegal I mean that’s where were going to have to strike the balance and make sure that security isn’t jeopardized but this is devastating to our national security.”
CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN
(Published on Sept. 12, 2019) Journalist Dack Rouleau asks Rep. Tim Ryan for his stance on Julian Assange, and if he would pardon or commute his sentence if he were to win the presidency.
Rep. Ryan: “Yeah, I would not. Releasing important state secrets or information that you’ve gotten inappropriately is wrong, and I would not. Although, let me be clear with my position with Donald Trump, my position with Russia is very, very clear. I believe that, you know, Russia did or was involved in the elections. I think they were trying to tip the scales for Donald Trump. I think there was some level of connection between the campaign and what was happening. I’m not sure we know exactly how coordinated that was (inaudible.)”
REPRESENTATIVE ERIC SWALWELL
(2019) In an interview with CNN that was later published on Breitbart, Representative Eric Swalwell provided his stance on Julian Assange.
Swalwell: “It will be heartening to see Mr. Assange be brought to justice, and I also want to respect the role of journalists and distinguish him from a journalist. He works with state actors to obtain our country and other countries intelligence information and interfere in elections. So I have no sympathy for Mr. Assange with respect to what he did.”
Swalwell: “He (Trump) doesn’t commend the British for working with us to extradite Mr. Assange.”
FORMER CONGRESSMAN JOE WALSH
(2019) The day following Assange’s arrest, former Rep. Walsh went to Twitter to post his perspectives on the week’s events.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
(2016) During the 2016 US presidential election, then-candidate Donald Trump famously said, “I love WikiLeaks” while on the campaign trail.
(April 11, 2019) When the president was asked if he still held the same amount of admiration for the anti-secrecy website, he adopted a much different tone than what was portrayed two years earlier.
Trump: “I know nothing about WikiLeaks, it’s not my thing. I know there is something having to do with Julian Assange. I’ve been seeing what’s happened with Assange and that will be a determination I would imagine mostly by the Attorney General who’s doing an excellent job so he will be making a determination. I know nothing really about him. It’s not my deal in life.”
(June 2013) In an appearance on Fox & Friends, which was later published in the Huffington Post, Donald Trump revealed his thoughts on NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Trump: “You know there is still a thing called execution.”
Press freedom and freedom of speech in under attack in the United States and throughout the world. Just last year, nearly 100 journalists were killed while on the job or because of the subject of their reporting. We cannot allow our local press organizations to publicly promote themselves as defenders of the first amendment all while not issuing statements in support of the most persecuted journalist in the world, Julian Assange.
Press freedom and freedom of speech is in under attack in the United States and throughout the world. Just last year, nearly 100 journalists were killed while on the job or because of the subject of their reporting. We cannot allow our local press organizations to publicly promote themselves as defenders of the first amendment all while not issuing statements in support of the most persecuted journalist in the world, Julian Assange.
Please join the initiative to write your local press organizations and clubs asking them to issue a formal statement in support of Julian Assange and in condemnation of the United States government’s decision to charge him with espionage and conspiracy.
TIPS/SUGGESTIONS:
Prior to writing your letter, study the organization’s website. Read their goals, vision and mission statement.
At the introduction of the letter address the points of similarity you share with your local press organization. (For example– promoting excellence in journalism, building a fellowship among journalists, etc.)
Use their own statements on their website to cite why they should issue a statement in support of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.
Example: On the Press Club of Cleveland’s website, it reads “The Press Club’s vision is that Northeast Ohio always supports… professionals, products and platforms that defend and further the public’s right to have access to information.” Then explain to them that because they are an organization thatsupports professionals who defend and further the public’s right to know, they should issue a statement to support Julian Assange.
Provide thoughtful evidence to support your claims.
Make it short and get to the point. Avoid exceeding one full page.
Remember, you are trying to politely convince an organization to act in a certain way.
Explain to them why it is in their best interest to do what you are requesting them to do.
Do not assume they will not accept your request.
Conclude the letter by acknowledging that you look forward to hearing a response.
We are proud to announce a weekend of #Action4Assange. We will be in Chicago on Sat. July 13th and Sun. July 14th. We aim to spread a message of press freedom while providing supporters with information and resources on how to hold their own personal protests. We will also host a #Candles4Assange vigil in honor of journalist Julian Assange.
If you are unable to attend in person, please consider holding your own personal protest. Papering your local community with signs or distributing flyers is an effective way to become involved locally.
11a.m. #Action4Assange Meet Up Dvorak (Anton) Park 1119 W Cullerton St, Chicago, IL 60608 If possible please bring a staple gun/staples and signs or flyers. These things will be available/provided on site if you cannot get them prior to this time.
3p.m. #Action4Assange Meet Up Throop Park 1811 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608 If possible, please bring a staple gun/staples and signs or flyers. These items will be available/provided on site if you cannot get them in advance.
6p.m. Table Outside of The Jimmy Dore Show Thalia Hall 1807 S Allport Street Chicago, IL 60608 We will be passing out water bottles and taking donations for Chelsea and Julian’s legal defense.
11p.m. #Candles4Assange Vigil Sidewalk corner in front of McDonald’s 1664 S Blue Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 Please bring a candle. Some candles will also be available.
Sun. July 14th
Noon #Action4Assange Meet Up Seward Park 375 W Elm St, Chicago, IL 60610 If possible, please bring a staple gun/staples and signs or flyers. These items will be available/provided on site if you cannot get them in advance.
3p.m. #Action4Assange Meet Up Outside of the Chicago History Museum 1811 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60608 If possible, please bring a staple gun/staples and signs or flyers. These items will be available/provided on site if you cannot get them in advance.
6:30p.m. Table Outside of The Jimmy Dore Show Zanies Comedy Club 1548 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60610 We will be passing out waters and taking donations for Chelsea Manning and Julian’s legal defense.
9p.m. Table Outside of The Jimmy Dore Show Zanies Comedy Club 1548 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60610 We will be passing out waters and taking donations for Manning and Julian’s legal defense.
Please contact @action_4assange, @AndrewZigmund or @TaylorM_Hudak if you have questions.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019, became a day of international unification—a day where nearly 60 cities across six continents lit candles in honor of award-winning journalist, Julian Assange.
According to a Candles For Assange media release, birthday celebrations taking place in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand, on July 3rd, Julian’s 48th birthday, have initiated a global movement — #Candles4Assange.
The roots of the movement date back to July 3, 2018, on Julian’s 47th birthday, when #FreeAssangeNZ configured a candle display reading “Free Julian.” The candles were placed on NZ Parliament lawn and an image of the display captured the attention of activists and Assange supporters world-wide.
Those involved in #FreeAssangeNZ chose to hold a similar event for Julian’s 48th birthday taking place this year. However, #FreeAssangeNZ invited other cities to organize vigils and join in on the #Candles4Assange global celebration.
Day after day, the hashtag-Candles4Assange was reaching dozens of cities, and soon the movement became viral within the free speech and free Julian Assange community.
According to the release, “Free Assange NZ supports the principle of press freedom, especially for a media whose mission is ‘to hold power to account.’”
A MESSAGE TO STAND FOR, AN IDEA TO DEFEND
Julian Assange is a man of and for the people. In addition, he is the embodiment of good journalism, making those in power feel uncomfortable. Assange and the WikiLeaks’ staff, through their work, have inadvertently forced the mainstream media to re-examine how good journalism presents itself.
Candles For Assange strongly advocates for these ideals — a free press and for the protection of free speech. Millions of people around the world align with the movement. And because of that, Free Assange NZ is challenging the New Zealand media to condemn the UK and US efforts to persecute and torture Julian Assange.
We too, at Action For Assange are calling upon the American media to condemn the behavior of its government toward journalist Julian Assange.
This sentiment is stronger than those within the powerful elite would like to believe. We exist, and we are here.
A DAY OF ACTION
Candles For Assange co-founder, Alex Hills asked organizers to take photos and/or video footage of their actions on July 3rd and send them and/or link them to @Candles4Assange, @GreenweaverArch or the Facebook group, #Candles4Assange.
“Many are singing Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder on film for a compilation video of the final actions throughout the world made into a moral boosting singalong supporter video,” Hills said. “We are happy for anything no matter how big or small a gesture.”
Candles For Assange has also made extensive efforts to connect with Antarctica to ensure Julian’s day of birth is celebrated on all seven continents.
The promotional video for Candles For Assange may be found here. We strongly recommend watching this video.
We are stronger when we work together.
The fight to free Julian Assange does not attract the weak or faint of heart but rather the determined and the fearless.
And we are ready.
Happy birthday Julian – from your brothers and sisters around the world.
If one cares about free speech and a free press in America, do not vote for 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bennet.
According to an article published on World Socialist Web Site, Sen. Bennet signed a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence in June 2018 demanding the Trump Administration convince the Ecuadorian government to expel Julian Assange’s asylum.
According to the article, the letter exposes a clear hatred of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks among America’s political elite.
In addition to Sen. Michael Bennett, nine other Democratic senators signed the letter, including:
Robert Menendez
Richard Blumenthal
Joe Manchin III
Dianne Feinstein
Richard J. Durbin
Edward J. Markey
Christopher A. Coons
Jeanne Shaheen
Mark R. Warner
The letter signed by the above senators, including Sen. Bennet, cites Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statements on WikiLeaks when he was the acting CIA director. Pompeo referred to WikiLeaks as “a non-state hostile intelligence service.” This is the same man who admitted that the CIA is taught to lie, cheat and steal.
Furthermore, the letter portrays a clear intent on behalf of the United States government to restore amicable relations with Ecuador. What is disturbing is their method to restore relations—torture and prosecute journalist and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Perhaps these senators thought it would work well to play politics with foreign governments by finding a journalist and publisher to mutually hate.
But Why These 10 Specific Senators?
The majority of the senators who signed this letter were in some manner implicated by WikiLeaks publications.
Global Intelligence Files, Sony, Carter Cables 2, The Podesta Emails, Sony Emails, Hacking Team, Hacking Team Emails, Clinton Emails, Sony Documents, Carter Cables, DNC Email Archive, Berat’s Box, German BND-NSA Inquiry Exhibits, Cablegate, The HBGary Emails, Secret, Congressional Reports, Syria Files, Kissinger Cables, US Embassy Shopping List
DNC Archive, Global Intelligence Files, The Podesta Emails, Clinton Emails, Berat’s Box, Sony, Sony Documents, Syria Files, Plusd, Cablegate, Sony Emails, German BND-NSA Inquiry Exhibits
Global Intelligence Files, The Podesta Emails, Secret Congressional Reports, DNC Email Archive, Plusd, Cablegate, Clinton Emails, Sony, Sony Emails, Sony Documents, Berat’s Box, German BND-NSA Inquiry Exhibits, Kissinger Cables, Syria Files, Carter Cables 2, Hacking Team, Hacking, Team Emails, The HBGary Emails
Global Intelligence Files, Plusd, Carter Cables 2, The Podesta Emails, Cablegate, Secret. Congressional Reports, Hacking Team, Hacking Team Emails, DNC Email Archive, Kissinger Cables, Sony, Sony Emails, German BND-NSA Inquiry Exhibits, The HBGary Emails, Berat’s Box, Syria Files, Carter Cables, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, Clinton Emails
Global Intelligence Files, The Podesta Emails, DNC Email Archive, Sony, Sony Emails, Clinton Emails, Pulsd, Cablegate, Berat’s Box, German BND-NSA Inquiry Exhibits
(Oberlin, Ohio) – A free Julian Assange activist is facing a misdemeanor charge for hanging signs on public utility poles in support of the WikiLeaks founder.
Andrew Smith, 28, of Elyria was cited on Saturday afternoon June 29 for hanging signs reading “Free Julian Assange,” “Free Speech Free Press” and others with similar messages.
As Smith was stapling a free Julian sign to a utility pole in front of a convenient store, a police officer driving by slowed down and shouted at Smith to stop what he was doing.
With staple gun in hand, the 28-year-old turns to look at the officer and then continues to staple the poster.
The officer proceeds into the convenient store parking lot and orders Smith to empty his pockets. Meanwhile, two additional police cars arrive at the scene.
After a brief exchange concerning the law, the officer orders Smith to get into the back of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, a woman accompanying Smith, Taylor Hudak, 26, of Kent was told she may leave. However, Hudak remained at the site and took photographs on her cell phone as the incident unfolded.
While Smith was in the police vehicle, he continued to speak with the officer explaining to her his political ideology and reason for posting signs. The officer responded to him saying she did not understand.
After several minutes sitting in the police vehicle, Smith was issued a citation for violating Oberlin City Ordinance 503.02 Advertising on Public Property.
Smith appeared in Oberlin Municipal Court on Friday July 5 at 8:30 a.m. and plead not guilty. He will return to court for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 18.
We are learning that in certain regions of NE Ohio, activists are not welcome to exercise their first amendment right to free speech—especially in Oberlin, Ohio.
Throughout the afternoon on Saturday June 29, my friend Andrew and I were posting signs reading “Free Julian Assange,” “Chelsea Manning is a POW” and “No Extradition” among others with similar messages.
Andrew and I have a pretty good system when we poster. I carry the signs and hand them over as he staples them to the utility poles with a staple gun.
This is, of course, a legal form of free speech expression. However, the Oberlin Police Department does not agree.
On the afternoon of June 29, as Andrew and I reach a utility pole in front of a convenient store, a police cruiser approaches and the vehicle begins to slow down as the officer yells to us that we cannot post the signs “there.”
Andrew, with staple gun in hand about to make the final staple on that sign– turns around, looks the officer the eye, and staples the last staple. Immediately sirens are going off, and soon enough three additional police cars arrive.
Experience With the Officers
The officer pulls into the convenient store parking lot and addresses us. Andrew calmly informs her that stapling signs to utility poles is, in fact, legal. She, the officer, is persistent and soon becomes very angry with Andrew as he informs her of our rights.
Clearly agitated, the officer orders Andrew to empty his pockets and to place his hands on the hood of the vehicle. He complies.
Now, I would be dishonest if I did not disclose to you that it was very apparent the officer was hoping to find something illegal in his possession. And when she didn’t, she ordered him to get into the back of the police car.
As Andrew enters the back of the police car, he is ordered to hand me his phone and I hold onto it feeling very dumfounded at what just took place.
The officer than tells me I am free to go, and I decline. And, I’m still very unsure of what the real issue is at this time, but I can hear the officer tell Andrew that it was not the content of the sign that was an issue but the actual posting of it on the utility pole.
At this point, I can hear conversation between the officer and Andrew. As the officer attempts to school Andrew on the laws in Oberlin, he explains to her why we were posting signs to begin with.
As he explains to her the issues of censorship and Julian Assange she replies to him, “I don’t get what you mean?”
Meanwhile, the male officer sitting in one of the other surrounding police cars, gets out and begins conversing with me. I explain to him that we are fighting to prevent the US extradition of Julian Assange. He, too, was unsure of what I was really referencing.
Once I mentioned “WikiLeaks” I could see the male officer was more clear on what our message was. Yet, he acknowledged he was not completely aware of the details of the case.
I can only hope that after I encouraged him to google independent media sources for information on the case that he actually will follow through.
Interestingly, this officer said to me that he has to enforce laws that he may not agree with. I could easily sense he somewhat agreed we had a right to free speech.
The male officer I was speaking with then pulls out a camera and holds it up in the direction of our sign on the utility pole. At that moment Andrew and I make eye contact, and smile. The officer then snaps a photograph.
The Aftermath
As Andrew then exits the police vehicle and the female officer who charged him reads him his citation, we then encouraged her to please take our sign into evidence.
She vaguely said it may or may not be put into evidence and at that point I offer her my stack of signs and she ignores the offer.
As she then continues to read Andrew information concerning his citation, he listens and then asks her if he can submit the signs as evidence. She was vague in her response.
Soon enough we were free to go and Andrew and I walked to his car laughing. Of course, being quite shocked, we laughed and talked about the events that just took place.
On our walk back to our car, police cars were visible at every block and Andrew says to me that they are watching us now to make sure we don’t hang anymore signs.
I laughed and entertained the possibility of their listening to us speak at that moment. We both laughed and then realized—it’s not long before they will try.
*On a side note, it was the officer who had to retrace our path and take down all of our signs
While an award-winning journalist spends his 48th birthday in London’s Her Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh, supporters around the world will unite in solidarity to support a truth-teller, whistleblower and activist — Julian Assange.
This collaborative initiative, #Candles4Assange, will occur in 56 cities spanning across the globe on Julian’s 48th birthday, Wednesday July 3 – with the number of cities participating increasing each day.
According to the website, #Candles4Assange is advocating for the protection of whistleblowers, the prosecution of war criminals and an end to the war on journalism.
People around the world have chosen a location and time to hold their #Candles4Assange event. Nearby supporters are encouraged to attend and light candles in honor of Julian.
In addition to bringing awareness to the important issues of our day including the consistent violations of the free press and free speech rights, this effort is a world-wide celebration of the birthday of one of the bravest men humankind has ever known.
In a world riddled in sanctions and in war, caused and perpetuated by world leaders and the powerful, what a wonder it is that citizens of a wide-range of countries can unite on a day of significance to promote a cause of which they all care so deeply.
Below is a complete list of the #Candles4Assange events to take place around the world on Wednesday July 3. Times and locations are included. If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact @Candles4Assange.
A
Adelaide, Australia – 7pm at Parliament House
https://www.facebook.com/clare.smith.123276
Asturias, Spain – (time not listed) at Oviedo Austurias
(no link available)
Auckland, New Zealand – 12 to 1pm + Eve at US Consulate
With the 2020 United States presidential election quickly approaching, the American people had their first introduction to the democratic candidates the evenings of June 26 and June 27.
The candidates were divided into two groups, and on each night, ten of 20 democratic White House hopefuls graced the Knight Hall stage in Miami for the first round of debates.
The first question was posed to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, perhaps due to her rankings in the polls at the time. But interestingly, she was also offered the final word leaving many to speculate Sen. Warren is set to become the main stream media’s new Hillary Clinton.
But what happened during the two hours in between is more telling. Despite important issues including healthcare, Iran and the tax code being thoroughly addressed, First Amendment advocates were all but pleased when the moderators failed to address the state of the free press, free speech and moreover, the case of Julian Assange.
Julian’s supporters were discouraged that the candidates were not given the opportunity to provide their perspective on an issue they care about deeply. And for this reason, Action 4 Assange decided to research various quotes and statements made by the candidates about Assange, Chelsea Manning and WikiLeaks. We listed the candidates in alphabetic order by last name and included the links to where we retrieved this information. We strongly encourage you to visit the links to view the full material and decide for yourself what these candidates’ statements suggest about their stance on the first amendment and the Julian Assange case.
SENATOR MICHAEL BENNET
(2018) According to the World Socialist Web Site, Michael Bennet was one of 10 Democratic sens. who signed a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence demanding that the Trump Administration call upon the Ecuadorian government to revoke Assange’s asylum and expel him from the embassy.
(2010) In an interview with ABC News (Australia), Biden was asked on Meet The Press if the United States should do something to stop Mr. Assange. Biden said:
“We’re looking at that right now. The Justice Department is taking a look at that and I’m not going to comment on that process.”
When asked if Assange is a criminal, Biden said:
“If he conspired to get these classified documents with a member of the US military, that’s fundamentally different than if somebody drops on your lap—here David, you’re a press person, here is classified material.”
When asked if this case is more like the pentagon papers or a high-tech terrorist, Biden said:
“I would argue that it’s closer to being a high-tech terrorist than the pentagon papers.”
*Action for Assange notes that one’s status as a journalist does not provide him or her with additional free speech or publishing protections under the first amendment as Joe Biden suggests.
SENATOR COREY BOOKER
(2016) From Press for Truth—A Reporter asked Sen. Booker what he thought of the WikiLeaks revelations suggesting that the 2016 primary election was rigged in favor of then-candidate Hillary Clinton. Booker said:
“Well, the WikiLeaks are awful and it was unfortunate and I’m glad that the DNC chair (inaudible) stepped aside.”
(2019) In an interview with CBS radio, Mayor Buttigieg was asked about Chelsea Manning being imprisoned again for refusing to testify before a grand jury. Buttigieg said:
“As somebody who was tasked with handling sensitive information, information that could get people killed I took an oath and made promises that I would handle it responsibly. And when you’re involved in divulging classified information that can harm American troops overseas that is not something to be taken lightly.”
When asked about former President Obama’s decision to commute Manning’s sentence, Buttigieg said:
“I’m troubled by that.”
The radio host goes on to ask Buttigieg, “Is Edward Snowden a hero or a villain to you?” Buttigieg said:
“When you are trusted with classified information you have made a promise, and if you are not comfortable safe-guarding information that could get Americans killed, then you shouldn’t be in that profession. I certainly agree that we have learned things about abuses and one way or another that needed to come out. But in my view, the way for that to come out is through congressional oversight not through a breach of classified information”
The full article and radio interview can be found here.
*Action 4 Assange notes that there is no evidence to suggest that anyone was harmed due to the material leaked by Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden or any of the information published on WikiLeaks website like Mayor Buttigieg suggested.
FORMER HUD SECRETARY JULIAN CASTRO
(Action 4 Assange was unable to find any statements by Castro on Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. If you do find any material, leave a comment with the source link and we may add the information)
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO
(2016) From Politico
Concerning the release of the Podesta emails, Mayor de Blasio said:
“And I think it creates a very, very troubling dynamic where there is no privacy of any kind anymore”
(April 11, 2019) According to a press release on candidate Delaney’s campaign website, the following is posted:
“Julian Assange should be extradited to the United States and tried for the charge that he allegedly assisted in hacking into government systems. Journalists are free to publish information that they receive but they are not free to participate in obtaining information illegally. This is the central question in the Assange case. The U.S. government has alleged that Assange assisted in hacking critical and confidential government information and in doing so, endangered the national security interests of the U.S. citizens and the identity of U.S. intelligence assets.”
This excerpt can be found on Delaney’s campaign website here.
REPRESENTATIVE TULSI GABBARD
(June 5, 2019) Rep. Gabbard posted a video on Twitter in support of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. Gabbard said:
“Charging Assange under the espionage act will have a serious chilling effect on our most fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Every American, certainly every journalist, must strongly condemn this anti-Democratic act by the Trump Administration.”
(May 15, 2019) In an interview with Joe Rogan (posted on Newsweek’s website), Rogan asked Rep. Gabbard what she would do about Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.
Rep. Gabbard said she would drop the charges and pardon Snowden.
“There is not an actual channel for whistleblowers like them to bring forward information that exposes egregious abuses of our constitutional rights and liberties period.”
(Published on July 10, 2019) In an interview with journalist Dack Rouleau of overwritten.org, Rouleau asks Rep. Gabbard why it is important to defend Assange, Gabbard says:
“What we’re really defending is freedom of speech and freedom of the press… if we don’t stand up for those freedoms and in this case, the freedom of the press, when they are under attack and when they are at peril, then each of us whether as journalists or as everyday Americans, are also facing that threat of having our own personal freedom undermined because really what’s happening with Julian Assange, as well as Chelsea Manning, Snowden and others is the government taking a position that if you are pushing transparency, if you’re putting out information that the government deems will make them look bad or that they don’t like, then they will use the force of law to come after you and make an example of you. And try to prevent anyone else from doing the same. And whether you agree or disagree with what Julian Assange has done or if he’s a good guy or bad guy or whatever these are all irrelevant points because really what we’re talking about is freedom of the press and what’s happening to Julian Assange will very well happen to any other journalist, whether with new media or with main stream media or with any American for that matter who speaks up and speaks out on the truth, our government is showing that if you do that there will be consequences and that’s very dangerous.”
The Newsweek article including the Joe Rogan segment can be found here.
Rep. Gabbard’s full interview with Joe Rogan can be found here.
Rep. Gabbard’s full interview with Back Rouleau can be found here.
SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND
(2010) According to Senator Gillibrand’s government website, she called on then-President Obama to crack down on “cyber-criminals” following a cyber-attack on MasterCard, Visa and PayPal.
(Action 4 Assange was unable to find any statements by Rep. Harris on Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. If you do find any material, leave a comment with the source link and we may add the information)
GOVERNOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER
(2019) In an interview with Sirius XM’s Olivier Knox, Gov. John Hickenlooper said:
“Well the first amendment is one of the most sacred rights we have in the country. But that being said we have clear laws that are designed to protect the employees of our government when they’re working in foreign countries. Oftentimes they are in very dangerous situations that can be compromised easily if information is leaked.”
“But I think the country needs to see you know someone like Mr. Assange… let’s get the facts and see exactly what the decisions he made and what were the sacrifices, and what was he trying to get done? And what were the sacrifices made on that behalf?”
(Action 4 Assange was unable to find any statements by Gov. Inslee on Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. If you do find any material, leave a comment with the source link and we may add the information)
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR
(2010) In a radio interview with WCCO’s Chad Hartman, Sen. Klobuchar calls for a tough punishment on WikiLeaks following the release of the State Department Cables.
(out of respect for Chelsea Manning, Action 4 Assange chose to use the correct pronoun in reference to Manning)
In reference to the leak, Klobuchar said:
“I think it’s an enormous story and it’s more than a story it’s actually an enormous security risk.”
“It really undermines our efforts to work with other countries Secretary of State Clinton just went on noting that, and that it really tears at the fabric of our government when this kind of thing happens. And that’s what I’m concerned about, and that we have to make sure that the person who appears to be the original leaker here– this Private Manning who’s down the food chain here. First of all, why did she have access to all this information first of all I think that’s something we’re going to have to push but then obviously holding her responsible.”
(about Chelsea Manning) “A lot of people believe she could get a prison term for the rest of her life, and I think that would be appropriate.”
“The other piece of this is what responsibility, legal responsibility, WikiLeaks has with their website. If there’s any way we can push that to say that you can’t put illegally obtained documents up on your website, and I think that’s worth it.”
“If we can show that the material on there was stolen that website can actually be taken down. What you do with something like WikiLeaks which has vast amount of material that’s legal and then they put on things that are illegal I mean that’s where were going to have to strike the balance and make sure that security isn’t jeopardized but this is devastating to our national security.”
The full article and radio interview can be found here.
FORMER CONGRESSMAN BETO O’ROURKE
(May 30, 2019) Interview with a reporter from Citizen Source found on Medium.
A reporter asked former Rep. O’Rourke about Julian Assange. O’Rourke said:
“I want to make sure that we don’t do anything that chills the ability to hold people in positions of public trust accountable to make sure that the public and the press have the facts to make informed decisions. Those are my values without commenting on a specific case.”
(2019) According to an article from The Intercept, Sen. Sanders said in a tweet (about the indictments against Assange):
“Let me be clear: it is a disturbing attack on the First Amendment for the Trump administration to decide who is or is not a reporter for the purposes of a criminal prosecution”
(2019) According to a CNN video posted on Breitbart to accompany an article, Rep. Swalwell said to a CNN anchor:
“It will be heartening to see Mr. Assange be brought to justice, and I also want to respect the role of journalists and distinguish him from a journalist. He works with state actors to obtain our country and other countries intelligence information and interfere in elections. So I have no sympathy for Mr. Assange with respect to what he did.”
(about President Trump) Rep. Swalwell said:
“He (Trump) doesn’t commend the British for working with us to extradite Mr. Assange.”
*Action 4 Assange notes that during the interview Rep. Swalwell mentioned that the people want to know if Mr. Assange met with Paul Manafort, however this is proven false. The Guardian’s Luke Harding published a fake story that Assange met with Manafort—this never happened. Secondly, note that one’s status as a journalist does not determine his or her level of free speech and/or publishing protections under the first amendment like Rep. Swalwell suggested. (Additionally, it is not up to the United States government to determine who is and is not a journalist.)
Rep. Swalwell dropped out of the race.
CONGRESSMAN TIM RYAN
(Action 4 Assange was unable to find any statements by Rep. Ryan on Julian Assange or WikiLeaks. If you do find any material, leave a comment with the source link, and we may add the information)
SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN
(2019) According to an article from The Washington Times, Sen. Warren said:
“Assange is a bad actor who has harmed U.S. national security—and he should be held accountable”
“But Trump should not be using this case as a pretext to wage war on the First Amendment and go after the free press who hold the powerful accountable everyday.”
(2019) In an interview with Jimmy Dore on The Jimmy Dore Show, he asks Williamson her stance on Assange, she said:
“I go back and forth. I have a lot of ambivalence on the Julian Assange issue. Early on I saw him as any whistleblower and that he’s very important and the role he was playing and the function he was serving and I was very much aware of the fact that the system suppresses the whistleblower.”
“In this last election it’s not as clear to me. Like who are you working for Julian? You’re just going down on that campaign and not the other campaign so I don’t know I see both sides (inaudible).”
“The Julian Assange thing for many of us is a little not as black and white as you see it to be.”
Jimmy Dore then asked her:
“Well the Obama Administration’s Justice Department declined to prosecute him and The Washington Post editorial just a few years ago said the same thing—so what would you say the difference between Julian Assange publishing war crimes by the United States released by Chelsea Manning and the difference between Daniel Ellsberg and The Washington Post printing the pentagon papers—they’re both publishers, correct?”
Williamson said:
“I didn’t think there was any difference until this last thing happened with the election. Now that you’re saying that about the election and that’s where I’m still in process. Before this election, I saw no difference. Until this election and what happened with the election with Hillary Clinton I saw it exactly the same as Daniel Ellsberg.”
(Aug. 25, 2019) During a campaign event in New Market, NH, journalist Dack Rouleau asks Williamson to clarify her position on Julian Assange. Williamson says,
“I’m tilting in the direction of if you’re going to stand for whistleblowers, you stand for whistleblowers. And I have to within myself, I have to discern, where is it Marianne that you just don’t like his personality, you know, because his personality is not an issue here. So there is a dangerous shutting down, and this was even true during the Obama Administration, there’s a dangerous shutting down of the whistleblowers. I realize that. And he’s a whistleblower.”
*Action 4 Assange notes that the main stream media, most notably CNN, MSNBC, The Guardian and The NY Times, are responsible for disseminating false information regarding Assange’s personality in an attempt to discredit him and destroy his character. Furthermore, Christine Assange, mother of Julian Assange, posted on Twitter that it is not common for people to obsess over editor’s personalities like this– Action 4 Assange agrees.
ANDREW YANG
(2019) In a video Action 4 Assange found on YouTube published by user Dack Rouleau, Yang was asked what he thought about Julian Assange. Yang said:
“I think Julian Assange should stand trial. I’m generally pro-whistleblower and like pro-people trying to call out bad behaviors. But in that particular case he did disclose information that had really no useful purpose except for potential damage to our infrastructure (inaudible). So ya I think he should stand trial.”
On Thu 27th at the UN Human Right Council a discussion with Jennifer Robinson, Nils Melzer, Mads Andenas, Christophe Peschoux and Kristinn Hrafnsson about Julian Assange case and its implication for the protection of human rights and the rule of law worldwide.
Join the event in Spoleto, Campello Square, (Italy) on July 6th at 6pm. Take a stand for Freedom of Expression, monument to Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning!
The public hearing for FOIA appeal at the Upper Tribunal to defend the right of the Press to obtain the full documents on the WikiLeaks founder, will be held in London, 1st July 10.30am, Field House, 15 Breams Building, EC4A 1DZ.
Please donate to the WikiLeaks official Defence Fund
Your support is vital
WikiLeaks relies on supporters around the world to sustain itself in the face of increasing threats to its journalists and activities. Your contribution will be valuable in defending WikiLeaks and the public’s right to know.
In April 2018, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against WikiLeaks simply for publishing its emails. This lawsuit is the biggest attack on freedom of speech and constitutional rights in decades.
The DNC does not allege WikiLeaks participated in hacking of any kind. It is suing WikiLeaks for providing accurate, newsworthy information to the public.
Help WikiLeaks sue The Guardian for fabricating a story that Julian Assange had secret meetings with Paul Manafort
The Guardian has claimed, using unnamed sources, that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had “secret talks” with Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on three occasions. These claims are completely false and the story has been fabricated. But it has gone viral, repeated uncritically by media outlets around the world.
You can write to your member of parliament, Congressman or Senator or Prime Minister asking them to condemn Julian Assange’s arrest and oppose the attempt by the US government to extradite him from the United Kingdom.
If you’re in the UK, your role in helping Julian Assange is crucial. Write to your MP to let them know that you oppose onward extradition and that Assange’s legal rights must be protected
If you’re in the US, please send a version of this open letter to your political representative calling on President Trump to halt the investigation into WikiLeaks and attempted extradition of Julian Assange.
If you’re in the UK, writing to your MP is an important way you can help Julian Assange in his fight against extradition to the United States.
An email written in your own words will be noticed. Your opinion matters. Regardless of what your MP thinks about this issue, they should pass on your concerns to the Home Office if you request it. For everyone who takes the time to write a letter, the UK government knows there are dozens more who think similarly – so even a couple of hundred letters can make a huge difference..
On July 3rd – Julian Assange’s birthday, light candles and flying lanterns (if safe to do so and you are able to clean them up afterwards) and share on social media with #Candles4Assange
Somerset Bean has provided graphics so supporter’s can print their own banners, posters, stickers and more. Click here for free printable posters and banners.
For sales please purchase from WikiLeaks Shop – the only official WikiLeaks Shop.
Write to Julian Assange in Belmarsh prison. First write to your MP, or other leader or politician or human rights or activist organization and then Write Julian a short person note and let him know what actions you’ve taken. Tweet with #WriteJulian or #LettersToJulian
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