Julian Assange

The Australian government has again threatened Julian Assange with arrest, this time over the release of the entire 250,000 U.S. diplomatic cables online, in a searchable database. On Friday 2nd September, Federal Attorney General Robert McCelland released a statement expressing concern over the leaks which supposely include the name of at least one serving ASIO officer. He points out that "Section 92 of the ASIO Act makes it a crime to publish, or cause to be published, the identity of an ASIO Officer.". This leaves open the possibility that Julian Assange could face charges arising from the leak. McCelland also implicitly threatens Australian press outlets by urging them to "exercise caution" in discussing the leak. The Fairfax press broke the story of the ASIO agents identity on September 2nd.

Julian Assange is appealing is extradition to Sweden to face questioning in the politically motivated rape investigation. He was in court on the 12-13th of July. A judgement is due three weeks from this date. Assange has been the victim of character assassination and there have been many calls for him to be killed by high profile U.S. figures. There is plenty of evidence Assange's extradition is part of an attempt to ultimately have him extradited to the US where he is likely to feel the full wrath of the Empire, an Empire comprehensively exposed by WikiLeaks revelations. In the UK a small group of activists including Australian peace activist Ciaron O'Reilly have gathered in solidarity at the court and are having a public meeting. Disapointingly it appears no-one has organised a solidarity event in Australia to coincide with the court. Like other war resisters like Bradley Manning, Julian deserves solidarity as both a peace activist and champion of the free press.
Solidarity actions in the UK:UK Indymedia feature on extradition -- Turkish TV clip of solidarity action at court -- Ciaron's O'Reilly's account of the first day in court -- Supporters speak outside the court -- Ciaron O'Reilly's report on day 2 in court

YOUTUBE (6 mins) 'Assange Subterranean Homesick Blues'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGb9pqcz3_Y

WAR CRIMES EXPOSED - Don't Shoot the Messenger! FREE ASSANGE!

*Sat July 9 Public Meeting Giuseppe Conlon Venue, Harringay, London

*Tues July 12 & Wed July 13 Vigil outside High Court, The Strand, London

LINKS TO FLYER
SIDE 1
"WAR CRIMES EXPOSED! Don't Shoot the Messenger! FREE Assange!"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vertigogen/5863014018/in/p...ream/

Yesterday afternoon a handful of people held a vigil at he British consulate in Brisbane to mark the attempted extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. We held signs reading, "Free Julian Assange, Free Bradley Manning" and "In An Age of Universal Deceit Telling The Truth is a Revolutionary Act"

It was a bit of a disappointing turnout, but the vigil was not advertised other than by our email network. However the police must have been taking lessons form Wikileaks, because they knew all about it, and well outnumbered us!