The Campaign to Free Julian Assange
French public sector strikers call to free Julian Assange
By Alex Lantier and V. Gnana, 6 December 2019
Strikers denounced the imprisonment of the Australian journalist under appalling conditions in Britain, for having revealed imperialist war crimes in Iraq.
Meeting of Australian teachers passes resolutions in defence of Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 December 2019
The teachers have taken an important stand which points the way forward for other educators, and for all sections of the working class, in the fight for democratic rights and against the persecution of Assange.
Doctors condemn failure of British government to answer letter demanding medical care for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 5 December 2019
The doctors state that “the UK government’s refusal to take the required measures to protect Mr Assange’s rights, health and dignity appears...unlawfully and unnecessarily exposes Mr Assange to potentially irreversible medical risks.”
Australian teenagers call for support for Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 5 December 2019
“The only way to help Assange is a mass of people having his back and supporting him so that they have to release him because the people are against it.”
Assange is facing a “new form of forced rendition”
WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson addresses the Australian press club
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 December 2019
Hrafnsson said Assange’s “rendition” was not taking place “with a sack over the head and an orange jumpsuit, but with the enabling of the UK legal system and with the apparent support of the Australian government.”
Protesters against London NATO summit speak in defence of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 4 December 2019
At the Socialist Equality Party’s stall in Trafalgar Square, many were attracted by posters calling for Assange’s freedom.
Halt the extradition of Julian Assange!
CIA spying on Assange’s lawyers exposes criminal operation against WikiLeaks founder
By Eric London, 3 December 2019
The surveillance violates the centuries-old right to attorney-client privilege and exposes the prosecution and extradition effort as an illegal frame-up.
Opposing NATO and Trump means fighting to free Julian Assange!
By Chris Marsden, 3 December 2019
The aim of Trump and Boris Johnson is to either send Assange to the US, lock him up and throw away the key, or subject him to such psychological and physical cruelty that he dies in prison.
WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson: “If Julian is taken to that Devil’s Island across the Atlantic, his life is lost”
By Oscar Grenfell and Richard Phillips, 3 December 2019
In an interview with the WSWS, Hrafnsson stated: “The case of Julian Assange is, in all senses, the turning point. It is the biggest and the most serious attack on journalism and the free press in decades, if not 100 years.”
Spanish judge to question Assange over illegal CIA spying in Ecuadorian embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 December 2019
British authorities had previously sought to block the interview, because the spying operation exposes the illegality of the entire US-led campaign against the WikiLeaks publisher.
Greater Manchester Unite community branch hears report on fight to free Julian Assange
By our reporters, 2 December 2019
The branch listened attentively as an SEP member reported the growing public concern over the plight of Assange and his declining health.
SEP meeting in Alice Springs demands freedom for Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 2 December 2019
“Something inside me told me that I had to do everything to defend Assange… It was going to be one of those life-defining moments for me”—Margaret Richardson
Central Australian residents speak out in defence of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 2 December 2019
“Assange is a journalist, he’s done nothing wrong and we need to get him back to Australia. There should be marches, rallies, protests and that sort of thing everywhere.”
Groundswell of support for WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 November 2019
The surge of support for Assange is a welcome blow to the conspiracy of silence surrounding his persecution, enforced by governments, establishment parties and the corporate media around the world.
Australian Labor Party shuts down parliamentary discussion on Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 November 2019
It is a glaring exposure of the thoroughly rotten character of the Labor Party that, on the issue of Assange, it is well to the right of Joyce, a conservative nationalist and populist.
Australia: Queensland parliament forum reflects growing support for Assange
By Mike Head, 29 November 2019
While largely focussed on lobbying parliamentarians, the meeting gave expression to the deep-felt concern of working class and professional people over the persecution of the WikiLeaks founder.
Doctors’ open letter defending Julian Assange wins global support
By Laura Tiernan, 27 November 2019
An open letter by doctors urging action to save the life of imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange has received international media coverage, winning growing support among doctors.
Australian PM rejects Pamela Anderson’s appeal that his government defend Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 November 2019
The refusal of the Coalition and Labor to uphold Assange’s rights as an Australian citizen is inextricably tied to their support for the US alliance and their own turn to police state measures.
Resolution: Stop the US extradition of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange! Free Assange and Manning!
26 November 2019
The following resolution was unanimously adopted by a meeting called by the Socialist Equality Party in Sydney last November 24. Similar resolutions were passed at events in Brisbane, Alice Springs and Wellington, New Zealand.
The significance of the doctors’ open letter in defence of Julian Assange
By Chris Marsden, 26 November 2019
The doctors’ action marks a new stage in the struggle to free Assange because it has been taken independently by a group of professional workers, animated by profound concern for his fate and for democratic rights.
Meetings in Australia and New Zealand pass resolutions demanding freedom of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our reporter, 26 November 2019
The meetings on the weekend took place just days after Swedish prosecutors had abandoned—for the third time—their “preliminary investigation” into the false allegations that Assange had committed sexual assault.
Attendees at meetings in Australia and NZ support campaign for release of Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 26 November 2019
“What’s happening to Julian Assange affects us all. He has told the truth and he has exposed the war criminals and that’s why the US wants him.”
Doctors demand “urgent” medical intervention to save Julian Assange’s life
By Laura Tiernan, 25 November 2019
More than 65 eminent medical doctors from the UK and around the world have issued an open letter calling for urgent action to protect the life of imprisoned WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange.
Clinical Psychologist Lissa Johnson on Julian Assange: “A maximum security prison is no place to treat a torture victim”
By Laura Tiernan, 25 November 2019
Australian clinical psychologist Lissa Johnson is a lead signatory to the open letter by medical doctors in defence of Julian Assange.
Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson addresses public meetings in Australia
By Patrick O’Connor, 25 November 2019
Robinson warned that the US attempt to prosecute Assange for publishing the truth was setting a “terrifying precedent” for all journalists and media organisations.
Leaked email on alleged chemical attack shows 2018 strikes against Syria based on lies
By Niles Niemuth, 25 November 2019
A whistleblower’s memo establishes that the July 2018 OPCW report on the alleged chemical attack in Douma falsified the findings of investigators to justify the attack on Syrian government forces carried out by the US, the UK and France.
An open letter from doctors: Julian Assange “could die in prison”
24 November 2019
“Were such urgent assessment and treatment not to take place, we have real concerns, on the evidence currently available, that Mr Assange could die in prison.”
“We are all Julian Assange”
Interviews with Alice Springs workers and youth about public meeting to defend Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 23 November 2019
Popular support in Alice Springs for imprisoned journalist Julian Assange is matched by a deep distrust of government authorities and the major parliamentary parties.
Sydney Morning Herald columnist defends Swedish frame-up of Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 22 November 2019
Miller’s article had the character of a rearguard action, aimed at defending the discredited lies and slanders that have been used to justify the persecution of Julian Assange.
Attend “Free Assange and Manning” meetings this weekend in Australia and New Zealand
By our reporter, 22 November 2019
All those who value and uphold core democratic principles, and who support the freedom of Assange and Manning, should attend the meetings this weekend.
Conference at European Parliament defends Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 21 November 2019
Speakers warned that the persecution of Assange was creating a precedent for the suppression of press freedom and for the application of repressive US laws all over the world.
Collapse of Swedish “sexual misconduct” frame-up exposes political conspiracy against Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 November 2019
The discrediting of the Swedish investigation, which played a linchpin role in the US-led pursuit of Assange, exposes the lawless character of the entire operation against the WikiLeaks founder.
Sweden drops investigation into bogus sexual misconduct allegations against Julian Assange
By Patrick Martin, 19 November 2019
The action confirms that the incessant media claims of “rape” and “sexual assault” by the WikiLeaks founder are a politically motivated fraud.
Julian Assange appears in court via video link: Legal rights denied by judge
By Thomas Scripps, 19 November 2019
The British ruling class has no intention of providing even the appearance of a fair trial of Assange, after which they intend to railroad him to his persecutors in the United States.
UN special rapporteur exposes Swedish sexual misconduct frame-up of Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 November 2019
Despite never having been charged with a crime, Sweden’s investigation provided the pseudo-judicial pretext for embroiling Assange in the legal system.
Protesters at London’s Trafalgar Square speak out to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 18 November 2019
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to some of the protesters who attended Saturday’s demonstration to demand the freedom of the WikiLeaks founder.
Petition calling for Julian Assange’s freedom tabled in Australian parliament
By James Cogan, 15 November 2019
The number of people who have signed the petition is a measure of the broader support and sympathy for Assange.
Australian workers and youth speak-out in support of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 13 November 2019
“Governments are trying to hide the truth and lie to the people. That’s why they are unfairly persecuting Assange and confining him to prison.”
Australian Greens member demands party leader defend Julian Assange
7 November 2019
“Assange is being held as a political prisoner. That is undeniable now, and still no action from the Greens... Ultimately, you have abandoned Assange.”
Concert for Assange outside UK Home Office demands “No extradition!”
By Laura Tiernan, 6 November 2019
Hundreds gathered to hear speeches by Assange’s father John Shipton and fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, and a performance by rap artist M.I.A.
Julian Assange calls for workers to organise in his defence
By Oscar Grenfell, 5 November 2019
Assange’s appeal for workers to form “blocs” in their workplaces is an important call for the mobilisation of the working class to fight for his freedom.
UN rapporteur Nils Melzer warns: Julian Assange may die in a British prison
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 November 2019
Melzer’s statements confirm that the British government, acting on behalf of the US administration of President Donald Trump, is seeking nothing less than Assange’s psychological and physical destruction.
UK art exhibition for Julian Assange: “If courage was not contagious, I wouldn’t be here today”
By Paul Bond, 1 November 2019
An Exhibition of Free Expression: Dedicated to the defence and freedom of Julian Assange was recently on view at Monkton Arts, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
Australian parliamentarians form cross-party group in defence of Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 October 2019
The establishment of the group is in response to a growing groundswell of demands for the Australian government to stop Assange’s extradition to the US.
Public meetings in Australia and New Zealand
Stop the US extradition of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange! Free Assange and Manning!
28 October 2019
The aim of the meetings is to prepare for the political action that must be organised in Australia and internationally in opposition to the legal travesty against Assange that is underway in the British courts.
UK judge rejects delay in Assange extradition case
By Laura Tiernan, 22 October 2019
Julian Assange told the court: “This superpower had 10 years to prepare for this case… I can’t access any of my written work… They have an unfair advantage dealing with documents… This is not equitable what is happening here.”
UN official’s briefing on torture of Assange boycotted by US media
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 October 2019
The media silence is a continuation of its complicity in what UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer has described as the “public mobbing” of Assange.
M.I.A. visits Julian Assange in prison: “It’s about truth—and that’s something people have to uphold and fight for”
By Laura Tiernan, 14 October 2019
Speaking at a press conference outside Belmarsh late Saturday afternoon, M.I.A.—Sri Lankan-born Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam—condemned Assange’s tormentors, indicting the US and UK governments, the courts and the corporate media.
Prominent Australian parliamentarian declares extradition of Julian Assange to US “totally unreasonable”
By James Cogan, 14 October 2019
Barnaby Joyce admitted this morning that the attempt to extradite Assange is a flagrant attack on his rights as an Australian citizen.
Protest in New Zealand six months after Assange’s arrest
By our reporters, 14 October 2019
The Socialist Equality Group’s Tom Peters denounced the New Zealand government’s support for US imperialism and the persecution of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Six months since the brutal arrest of WikiLeaks’ publisher Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 October 2019
While Assange is subjected to what amounts to torture in a British prison, the war criminals he has done so much to expose walk free.
WikiLeaks source Jeremy Hammond held in contempt by grand jury
By Kevin Reed, 11 October 2019
Information activist Jeremy Hammond has been found in contempt of court for refusing to answer questions before the same judge and grand jury that imprisoned Chelsea Manning.
CIA spied on Assange’s lawyers, visitors in Ecuadorian embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 October 2019
The El País report indicates that the US pursuit of Assange has included the illegal surveillance of American lawyers and journalists, in violation of the US Constitution.
Australia’s prisoner swap with Iran contrasts with persecution of Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 8 October 2019
The deal exposes the denial of basic legal and democratic rights by the Australian, British and US governments in the continued detention and psychological torture of the WikiLeaks founder.
Julian Assange’s life is in danger!
By James Cogan, 7 October 2019
John Shipton, the father of WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange, has warned that his son “may die” as a result of the conditions under which he is being imprisoned in Belmarsh Prison in London.
“Julian has reached a point where he may die”—Assange’s father John Shipton speaks with the WSWS
By Johannes Stern, 5 October 2019
On Thursday the WSWS met John Shipton, Julian Assange’s father, in Berlin to discuss the condition of his son’s jailing in London’s Belmarsh Prison.
London: Hundreds rally for Assange outside Belmarsh Prison
By Laura Tiernan, 30 September 2019
SEP National Secretary Chris Marsden emphasised that Assange’s persecution was a product of the drive to war and dictatorial rule by the US, British and world imperialism.
Protesters speak out in defence of Julian Assange
“I think the implications can grow into a stamping out of independent journalism”
By our reporters, 30 September 2019
Protesters outside Belmarsh Prison in London on Saturday spoke in support of jailed WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.
Spanish security firm spied on Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy for US intelligence
By Kevin Reed, 28 September 2019
A defense and security firm based in Spain that was hired to protect the Ecuadorian embassy in London provided secret audio and video recordings of Julian Assange to US intelligence.
Julian Assange: The great unmentionable as Australian leader wines and dines with Trump
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 September 2019
Were Assange imprisoned by the Chinese, Russian or Iranian regimes, the response of the Australian government would doubtless be very different.
Attend September 28 demonstration at London’s Belmarsh prison to demand freedom for Julian Assange!
By our reporter, 20 September 2019
The rally has been called by the Julian Assange Defence Committee (JADC) to demand Assange’s freedom from the high-security jail in London.
UK “justice” system tortures Julian Assange, treats fascist Tommy Robinson with kid gloves
By Thomas Scripps, 19 September 2019
The polar opposite treatment of Assange and Robinson by the British state underscores the bogus character of attempts by the far right to equate the two.
British judge jails Assange indefinitely, despite end of prison sentence
By Oscar Grenfell, 14 September 2019
The ruling, which confines Assange to prison indefinitely, is the latest in a series of attacks on his legal and democratic rights by the British judiciary.
Pamela Anderson defends Julian Assange: “Journalism is not a crime!”
By Oscar Grenfell, 13 September 2019
In an interview with the World Socialist Web Site, actress Pamela Anderson says imprisoned journalist Julian Assange is “depending on all of us to save him.”
Pamela Anderson defends Assange, challenges McCain’s daughter on US TV
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 September 2019
Anderson’s powerful refutation of the official smears against Assange demonstrated why the corporate media has instituted an almost universal blackout on the WikiLeaks founder.
WikiLeaks exposes crimes of German imperialism
By Gregor Link, 6 September 2019
The German media has slandered WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who faces possible life imprisonment or the death penalty in the US for making Washington’s war crimes public.
Imprisoned activist Jeremy Hammond called to testify before US grand jury, most likely against Julian Assange
By Kevin Reed, 4 September 2019
WikiLeaks published information obtained by Hammond that exposed corporate collaboration in sweeping government surveillance of domestic political activity .
Roger Waters and John Pilger make powerful defence of Julian Assange in London
By our reporters, 3 September 2019
Pilger stated: “By defending Julian Assange, we defend our most sacred rights. Speak up now or wake up one morning to the silence of a new kind of tyranny.”
Roger Waters to perform in London Monday in defense of Julian Assange
By Kevin Reed, 31 August 2019
Also speaking at the event will be John Pilger, the award-winning investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker.
Australia: NSW Greens pass motion “defending” Assange, but MPs remain silent
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 August 2019
The mealy-mouthed statement, which does not call for Assange’s freedom or condemn the US charges against him, has been met with silence by Greens MPs.
Clinical psychologist Lissa Johnson: They are trying to break Assange “physically and psychologically”
By Oscar Grenfell, 28 August 2019
”Of all the passive bystanders to Julian Assange’s abuse, the Australian government is by far the most culpable and complicit.”
Auto and railway workers in Tamil Nadu, India defend Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our correspondents, 22 August 2019
Workers denounced the ongoing persecution of Assange and Manning and spoke out against the brutal attacks by the Indian government on their own basic rights and social conditions.
Socialist Equality Party wins support for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning at Manchester Peterloo Massacre commemoration
By our reporters, 22 August 2019
SEP campaigners distributed WSWS’s call for a worldwide campaign to defend Assange and Manning.
Julian Assange’s father warns WikiLeaks’ publisher’s health is “declining rapidly” in Belmarsh Prison
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 August 2019
”The government will willingly sacrifice Julian’s well-being to the demands of the US and the UK.”
As Australian government threatens to jail journalists, media chiefs denounce Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 19 August 2019
While claiming to champion the “right to know,” media executives condemned the WikiLeaks founder for exposing the crimes of the US spy and military apparatuses.
The German media and Julian Assange: Silence and slander
By Gregor Link and Johannes Stern, 13 August 2019
Over a week after a US federal court threw out a civil case brought by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) against Julian Assange, the German media has been dominated by an embarrassed silence.
The ABC documentary “Hero or Villain”: Undermining the defence of Julian Assange
By James Cogan, 12 August 2019
The program’s pernicious subtext was that Assange should be viewed as dubious, at best, and undeserving of sympathy, let alone active political support.
Australian investigative journalist exposes Guardian/New York Times betrayal of Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 10 August 2019
Mark Davis made clear that the corporate media cynically exploited WikiLeaks, before ruthlessly turning on its founder Julian Assange and joining the state campaign against him.
Chelsea Manning faces $441,000 in fines and another year in jail for refusing to testify against WikiLeaks
By Niles Niemuth, 9 August 2019
A federal judge rejected Manning’s motion to reconsider daily fines, which will bankrupt her as she refuses to testify before a grand jury impaneled to bring frame-up charges against WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange.
John Pilger warns: “Do not forget Assange. Or you will lose him”
By Oscar Grenfell, 9 August 2019
The well-known journalist outlined the WikiLeaks founder’s deteriorating health, and the draconian conditions in which he is being held in a British prison.
Jennifer Robinson, a leading member of Assange’s legal team, speaks with the WSWS
By our reporters, 9 August 2019
“It speaks volumes about Australia’s position in the world that it’s not willing to take a stand against the United States and protect an Australian citizen.”
Protests in Australia continue to break official silence on Julian Assange
By our reporters, 7 August 2019
The sentiments of ordinary people stand in stark contrast to the refusal of all of the official parties to take any action in defence of the WikiLeaks founder.
Sri Lanka: Colombo University students call for release of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 6 August 2019
“American imperialism is now seeking its revenge against Assange because he told the truth.”
Jailed Sri Lankan writer Shakthika Sathkumara defends Julian Assange
By our reporters, 6 August 2019
“The system that has put Assange behind bars is the same system responsible for putting me behind bars in Sri Lanka.”
Assange’s father speaks to the WSWS: “Julian’s resolve is fierce”
By Oscar Grenfell, 5 August 2019
John Shipton condemned the Australian government’s refusal to raise the issue of Assange with the US, or to take any action in his defence, declaring: “Silence is complicity.”
Media silent on dismissal of DNC suit against Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 August 2019
Having trumpeted the slander that Assange is a “Russian agent” for the past three years, the New York Times, the Washington Post and other corporate outlets have blacked out a court decision refuting their lies.
Julian Assange’s lawyer briefs Australian parliamentarians on his persecution
By Oscar Grenfell, 1 August 2019
The event reflected concerns within the ruling elite over popular opposition to the Trump administration’s bid to prosecute the WikiLeaks founder.
Judge dismisses DNC lawsuit
US federal court exposes Democratic Party conspiracy against Assange and WikiLeaks
By Eric London, 31 July 2019
The decision exposes the Democratic Party in a conspiracy to attack free speech and cover up the crimes of US imperialism and the two parties of Wall Street.
Judge dismisses DNC lawsuit
US federal court exposes Democratic Party conspiracy against Assange and WikiLeaks
By Eric London, 31 July 2019
The decision exposes the Democratic Party in a conspiracy to attack free speech and cover up the crimes of US imperialism and the two parties of Wall Street.
Chelsea Manning’s lawyer refutes conspiracy allegation against Julian Assange
By Mike Head, 25 July 2019
“I don’t think Chelsea was played at all,” Nancy Hollander told Australian television.
UK: Strong support for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning at Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
By our reporters, 23 July 2019
One section of marchers cheered when they saw the SEP’s stall with posters of Assange and Manning, and many others stopped to voice their support.
Indian Trotskyists to hold “Free Julian Assange” rallies in Chennai and Kolkata
19 July 2019
Rallies in two of India’s biggest cities will take forward the call issued by the World Socialist Web Site international editorial board for the formation of a Global Defence Committee.
The vindictive campaign against Chelsea Manning, America’s political prisoner
By Niles Niemuth, 18 July 2019
Daily fines placed on Manning for refusing to testify against Julian Assange doubled on Tuesday, threatening the courageous whistleblower with personal bankruptcy. She has been jailed for more than four months.
National strike against Ecuadorian government demands Assange’s freedom
By Andrea Lobo, 17 July 2019
The protests in defense of Assange and the recent five-day strike in Ecuador demonstrate that the only social basis for his liberation and the defense democratic rights is the international working class.
CNN peddles intelligence agencies’ lies against Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 July 2019
A recent CNN broadcast recycles the discredited claim that WikiLeaks was involved in a Russian conspiracy to deprive Hillary Clinton of the US presidency.
The Assange precedent: Journalists in Britain threatened with Official Secrets Act
By Robert Stevens and Laura Tiernan, 16 July 2019
What the Metropolitan Police proposed was the de facto criminalisation of journalism so that it could be bracketed within terrorist activity.
Australian government seeking to prosecute journalists over exposure of war crimes
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 July 2019
The federal police are investigating journalists over the 2017 publication of the “Afghan Files,” which revealed Australian military involvement in extrajudicial killings and other crimes.
SEG (New Zealand) holds rally in defence of Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 16 July 2019
The Socialist Equality Group (SEG) rally in Wellington was part of the International Committee of the Fourth International’s campaign to mobilise workers and young people throughout the world to stop Assange’s rendition to the US.
Melbourne rally participants speak in defence of Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 15 July 2019
“I don’t believe any government will stand up for Assange. I think that it comes down to normal people standing and fighting.”
Rally in Melbourne demands freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 15 July 2019
Amid cold and wet weather, about 130 people rallied with determination to demand Assange’s freedom.
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