June 14th has been set down as the first substantive court hearing in London, in the efforts of the U.S. to extradite Julian Assange to face espionage charges that carry up to 175 years in prison. The Trump Administration’s Department of Justice will be presenting its arguments in court for this travesty of justice. Protests are occurring in Melbourne, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Marseille, Dusseldorf, London and Auckland between the 12th and 14th
The Espionage act in the U.S. has never before been used against a journalist or publisher – and this case strikes at the heart of a free press and freedom of speech globally. As the global capitalist ruling-classes increasingly move to implement authoritarian or outright, fascist rule – they are determined to make an example of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. It is a warning to not just journalists and whistleblowers, but to anyone who dares to take a stand against imperialist war.
Julian recently wrote in a letter from Belmarsh Prison to a supporter:
“I am unbroken, albeit literally surrounded by murderers, but, the days where I could read and speak and organise to defend myself, my ideals, and my people are over until I am free! Everyone else must take my place.”
We have since learnt that Julian Assange is now seriously ill and has been moved to the hospital ward of Belmarsh Prison. His lawyers said he was too ill to appear via video link in court on May 30th. His current illness is a product of the ongoing physical and mental torture he has been subjected to over the last seven years. The struggle for Julian’s and Chelsea’s freedom has become ever more urgent.
Protests have already been called in:
Protests 12th June
San Francisco (U.S) June 12th at the Federal Building 90 7th St. 4PM
New York :(U.S) June 12th Union Square NYC – 4 to 8 PM (14th Street side)
Los Angeles June 12th Westwood Village Federal Building June 12, 1:00 pm 11000 Wilshire avenue
Auckland (New Zealand) June 12th British Consulate General , Level 17/151 Queen St, 1pm – 2pm
London (UK) – 12 June, 5PM outside Australia House WC2B 4LA.
Dusseldorf : (Germany) Vigil for Julian Assange in Düsseldorf, Germany, directly at the main station. June 12th 2019 From 2.30 PM, in front of US & UK consulates.
Marseille (France) – Protest outside British Consulate
Protests 14th June
London: (UK) Protest outside Belmarsh Prison
London: (UK) Protest outside Westminster Court
Melbourne (Australia) Outside the UK Consulate – 90 Collins ST, CBD 12 – 1PM
Note- Protest in Boston on the 11th June
Boston (U.S.) – Harvard Square, Cambridge are at 5 p.m.
Facebook Event for Global Callout
Organise a solidarity protest or meeting in your city, town, school or workplace. Send details of your protest to ClassConscious@protonmail.com
It is only the intervention of a united movement of the working-class and youth that will win the fight for Julian Assange’s and Chelsea Manning freedom.
Truth is ultimately all we have. (Julian Assange letter from Belmarsh)
