Cecily McGee, Mullumbimby
It was good to see such a good turnout (over 300) at the Ngara Justice for Julian event in Mullumbimby last Sunday. Julian Assange’s father, John Shipton, and human rights campaigner, Ciaron O’Reilly, were the key speakers.
An Australian citizen, Assange, faces extradition to the United States from a British Court. What a legal precedent this is creating in the undermining of free speech!
These local events are part of a developing movement to gather support for Assange who is locked up in the UK Belmarsh high security prison.
A group of 60 UK doctors recently wrote an open letter saying Assange’s health is so bad they fear he will die in prison. At the very least Julian Assange should be brought back to Australia.
Australians who are concerned for Julian Assange, and the principles of free speech, are being urged to write to their politicians asking for high level intervention.
There is a change.org petition to the prime minister and foreign minister, Marise Payne to help free Julian Assange and stop the USA extradition. Add your name if you care about free speech.
Assange released a very large amount of material and only a very small part of it could be argued to be in the public interest. I read the Australian material from posts I had worked and and authors I knew; none of it was in the public interest to be released. If you break a law for a good reason – smash a window to save a pet in a burning house for example – it is not a defence for smashing a hundred windows next week for no such good reason.
Australians are required by the US to obey relevant laws and Australians are not exempt from extradition from the UK – they would they be?
His indictment outlines what he did assisting Manning and publishing documents secret documents. Those actions would be illegal in any democratic country, and it appears he did what he is indicted for. There is no reason he will not get a fair trial; his problem is a fair trial will likely find him guilty. As such there is no reason for Australia to stand in the way of his being tried, if only for what he did to this country’s diplomatic service. If he is found guilty he will get the same treatment – including medical treatment – as anyone who commits crimes against the US.
It sounds like Assange has an Allen Bond type illness. Using sickness as to not face the consequences of his actions.
Darren, are you the prince of bleeding obvious?
whoa a personal attack, sticks and stones Bazza.