Chris Abraham, Mullumbimby Creek
Julian Assange, through Wikileaks, brought to the attention of the world what most consider are unacceptable actions on the part of the USA military in Iraq.
He has done the world a favour. Whether or not he is identified as a journalist is a technicality and, if not seen as a journalist, he should not be penalised for what he has done.
Wikileaks has embarrassed the USA military and I suspect that this is the main reason why they want to try him in the USA.
Julian Assange has effectively already served a prison sentence through his self-incarceration in the Ecuadorian embassy. It is about time for the Australian government to look after its nationals and repatriate him home. If the USA is upset, too bad. It is high time that we stopped kow-towing to the USA and stood on our own feet with confidence that we are doing the right thing.
The lack of action on the part of the Australian government is similar to the case of David Hicks who was still incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay when the other prisoners had been returned home.
I am as ashamed to be Australian because of our neglect of Julian Assange as I was in the case of David Hicks. Where is your compassion and sense of fair play, fellow Australians? Lobby your Federal MP in the hope that he will be brought back to Australia before he dies in prison.
I am also dismayed to hear that Julian Assange was handcuffed in court and placed behind a glass screen. This is totally unnecessary and humiliating. Has this become the norm in these courts? Because of this he had no direct contact with his legal team during the in court trial – and he is no threat to anyone – except that some Americans might wish to harm him.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
