Momentum builds to free Assange

October 6, 2023
Issue 
Free Julian Assange banner
'Free Julian Assange' banner at Meanjin/Brisbane's May Day march. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

A cross-party delegation of Australian politicians visited the United States in September to lobby for an end to US attempts to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Prior to the trip, more than from across the political spectrum publicly declared that 鈥渢he prosecution and incarceration of the Australian citizen Julian Assange must end鈥.

Their open letter said it is 鈥渨rong for Mr Assange to be further persecuted and denied his liberty when one considers the duration and circumstances of the detention he has already suffered鈥.

Raine Sinclair from the campaign told 麻豆传媒 that it seems the campaign to free Assange has reached a 鈥渢ipping point鈥.

The delegation of six politicians 鈥渞epresent the entire political spectrum, which is essentially the whole of Australia鈥 and have 鈥渧astly different views鈥 on issues such as the Voice referendum and COVID-19 vaccines, said Sinclair. 鈥淸H]owever, they all oppose the persecution of Julian Assange and want him brought home.鈥

鈥淭his is really quite extraordinary,鈥 she said.

The support for Assange from Australian politicians reflects growing support for Assange among ordinary people.

There are a range of campaign activities coming up where people can add their support. These include a film screening in Lismore on October 12, a dance party in Melbourne on October 28, and the Truth Not War festival in Canberra on November 12.

Assange supporters will also be joining the protest outside the ACT court when whistleblower David McBride faces trial on November 13.

Sinclair also encouraged 麻豆传媒 readers to join the campaign's . The program organises local constituents to persuade parliamentarians to join the Bring Assange Home Parliamentary Friends group, or to thank them in person if they鈥檝e already joined.

Sinclair believes the Australian government should be pressuring Britain to repatriate Assange to Australia.

鈥淭he UK could actually save some face (and thousands of tax payer dollars) if they follow their own rule of not extraditing on political grounds,鈥 she told GL. 鈥淭he whole world knows Julian Assange is a political prisoner.鈥

Sinclair also called on people to boycott US products.

鈥淲hen I was a youngster in New Zealand and the French bombed our Rainbow Warrior, we boycotted everything French,鈥 she said.

鈥淎ustralians who want Julian free should be boycotting everything US.鈥

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