The Campaign to Free Julian 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.
UK: SEP wins support for Julian Assange at Durham Miners’ Gala
By our reporters, 15 July 2019
The gala is an annual labour movement event. Held for the first time in 1871, it attracts an estimated 200,000 attendees in celebration of the town’s coal mining heritage.
Twitter removes account of Assange defence organisation
By Mike Head, 13 July 2019
Unity4J, which campaigns against the persecution of the WikiLeaks founder, was given no reason for the suspension.
Strong support for Julian Assange at Sri Lanka’s Jaffna University
By our reporters, 9 July 2019
SEP and IYSSE campaigners campaigned for a July 10 picket that will be held in defence of the WikiLeaks founder in the war-ravaged city.
SEP (Australia) holds rally in Brisbane to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By Gary Alvernia, 8 July 2019
Despite downpours of rain, workers and young people came from far afield to join the event, demonstrating the underlying support for the WikiLeaks founder and the courageous whistleblower.
SEP (Sri Lanka) to hold Free Assange meetings and demonstrations
6 July 2019
The SEP and IYSSE calls upon workers, students, youth, artists, journalists and intellectuals to support the campaign to free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Julian Assange’s birthday celebrated at vigils in Australia and New Zealand
By our reporters, 5 July 2019
Linda Tenenbaum, a longstanding leader of the SEP, indicted the Australian government and the political and media establishment for abandoning Assange, an Australia citizen.
Australian workers and youth speak out at vigils for Assange’s birthday
By our reporters, 5 July 2019
“The things he has done have changed the world. The people who hate him are usually the people who are in power.”
Debate on Julian Assange at London’s Frontline Club for journalists
By Jean Shaoul, 5 July 2019
Guardian columnist Suzanne Moore, arguably the most despised among the advertised speakers, pulled out at the last minute.
UN Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer replies to feminist legal critics on Assange
By Laura Tiernanan, 5 July 2019
Melzer refutes the claim that he had belittled or denied the role of consent in the legal definition of rape.
Australian filmmaker James Ricketson calls on journalist Peter Greste to defend Assange
4 July 2019
Ricketson’s “Open Letter” debunks Greste’s claim that Assange is not a journalist and therefore not deserving of support, and calls on him to defend the WikiLeaks founder, as he did Ricketson who was wrongly jailed in Cambodia.
Australian workers and youth speak out in defence of Assange at SEP rally
By our reporters, 3 July 2019
“No other political party, none of the human rights groups are acting. Amnesty is doing nothing! Getup is doing nothing!”
Video: Protesters at SEP (Australia) rally speak out in defence of Assange and Manning
2 July 2019
“I came to support Julian because of all the time he has lost to help the poor people and the oppressed around the world.”
Australian media chiefs seek to divert anger over police raids
By Mike Head, 2 July 2019
There was no mention of the violent arrest of Julian Assange, which opened the floodgates for a broader assault on free speech.
Australian PM refused to raise persecution of Assange with Trump
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 July 2019
At the G20 summit Morrison fawned over Trump, who is seeking to imprison the WikiLeaks founder for life, or execute him.
SEP (Australia) holds Sydney rally in defence of Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 1 July 2019
“If two million people can come out on the streets of Hong Kong against extradition legislation, then we can surely build such a mass popular movement on a global scale to free Assange and Manning.”
UN Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer exposes propaganda and censorship in Assange reporting
By Chris Marsden, 1 July 2019
Melzer was offered various reasons by newspaper editors for rejecting an op-ed on Assange: “Some of them said it wasn’t high enough on their news agenda, some of them said it wasn’t within their core area of interest.”
SEP wins support for Assange and Manning at Sri Lanka’s Peradeniya university
By our reporters, 29 June 2019
Tenishan, an agriculture student, asked: “Is it democratic to imprison journalists who have revealed war crimes?”
Watch the Sydney rally to free Assange live!
28 June 2019
The SEP rally is among the first events to be held since the WSWS International Editorial Board called for the formation of a Global Defence Committee to demand freedom for Assange and Manning.
Terry Hicks, father of former Guantánamo Bay prisoner David Hicks, demands freedom for Assange and Manning
28 June 2019
“There’s only one word to describe the victimisation and persecution of Assange and Manning, and that word is barbaric.”
Socialist Equality Party (UK) public meeting
For a global campaign to prevent Julian Assange’s rendition to the US!
27 June 2019
On June 20 the WSWS issued a call for the formation of a Global Defence Committee to secure freedom for Wikileaks founder and class-war prisoner Julian Assange.
Join the Sydney rally this Saturday demanding freedom for Julian Assange!
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 June 2019
The demonstration will insist that the Australian government take immediate action to prevent the WikiLeaks founder’s extradition to the US, where he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Assange legal advisor: Pentagon spearheaded pursuit of WikiLeaks founder
By Oscar Grenfell, 25 June 2019
Geoffrey Robertson’s statement is another demonstration that Assange would not receive anything resembling a fair trial if he were extradited to the US.
Parti de l’égalité socialiste meeting in Paris demands freedom for Julian Assange
By our reporters, 25 June 2019
The meeting came three days after the World Socialist Web Site issued a call to build a Global Defense Committee fighting for Assange’s freedom.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) calls rally to demand freedom for Julian Assange
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 25 June 2019
Support the SEG’s rally on Sunday July 14 as part of the international campaign to demand freedom for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
Punitive fines threaten whistleblower Chelsea Manning with bankruptcy
By Oscar Grenfell, 24 June 2019
Manning is being held in contempt and fined $500 a day for her refusal to testify before a grand jury aimed at concocting charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.
The Guardian’s direct collusion with media censorship by secret services exposed
By Thomas Scripps, 22 June 2019
The facts provide damning proof of the Guardian’s total integration into the propaganda wing of the Ministry of Defence following its involvement in the WikiLeaks and Snowden files releases.
Facebook blocks ad for PES meeting in Paris to defend Assange
By Alex Lantier, 22 June 2019
The Parti de l’égalité socialiste calls on its supporters to share its material and support the freeing of journalist Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
The war on journalism is a war on the humanities
By Monika Eisenhauer, 21 June 2019
The World Socialist Web Site received this statement opposing the persecution of Julian Assange from Monika Eisenhauer, an independent historian and medievalist living in Germany.
Australian workers and youth support SEP rallies defending Assange
By our reporters, 21 June 2019
The hostility of ordinary people to the US attempts to prosecute Assange stands in stark contrast to the complicity of the political and media establishment.
Prominent Australian journalist Mary Kostakidis calls for campaign to free Assange
18 June 2019
“We must not wait till it is too late to recognise the broader significance of the persecution of Julian Assange and fail to defend his human rights.”
Two protesters arrested at Melbourne rally in defence of Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 June 2019
The arrests were aimed at intimidating supporters of WikiLeaks and preventing broader layers from joining the campaign to defend Assange and all democratic rights.
Germany: Protest vigil in Dusseldorf demands release of Julian Assange
By our reporters, 17 June 2019
“Assange’s surrender to the US would mean that war crimes, spying on the population, or government intrigues and conspiracies would no longer be reported.”
WikiLeaks publisher Assange faces US extradition trial next February
By Robert Stevens, 15 June 2019
The UK government has made clear that it will do everything possible to expedite Washington’s vindictive attempt to render the courageous journalist to face imprisonment, torture, and execution in the US.
Activist Lauri Love and others speak out in defence of Assange
By our reporters, 15 June 2019
Members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee and the SEP were joined by people from across London and further afield, including two “Yellow Vest” protestors from France.
New Zealand protest opposes persecution of Julian Assange and Australian journalists
By our reporters, 13 June 2019
Tom Peters of the Socialist Equality Group warned that press freedom and democratic rights are “not compatible with endless war and endless attacks on living standards.”
US issues formal request for Assange’s extradition
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 June 2019
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with its attempt to prosecute the WikiLeaks founder over his role in the exposure of US war crimes and diplomatic conspiracies.
SEP (Australia) calls rallies demanding freedom for Julian Assange
11 June 2019
The protests will demand that the Australian government take immediate action to prevent the WikiLeaks founder's extradition to the US and secure his complete freedom.
The global war on journalism
By Mike Head, 6 June 2019
The arrest of Julian Assange has set a precedent for the state persecution of journalists, triggering police raids in Australia and France against reporters documenting government crimes and corruption.
In legal victory for Assange, Swedish court rules against extradition
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 June 2019
Despite Swedish prosecutors having investigated Julian Assange on bogus allegations of sexual misconduct for eight years, they have never charged him.
SEP Australia meetings on Labor’s election debacle and the defence of Assange
4 June 2019
The leftward movement of workers and youth can find no means of expression within the present political framework. It must be developed into a conscious political movement, based on a socialist perspective.
Britain and Australia dismiss UN report that Assange has been tortured
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 June 2019
The brazen responses demonstrate the criminality of the US-led vendetta against Assange, which is proceeding in violation of due process and the fundamental tenets of international law.
Protests in London and Edinburgh demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By our reporters, 3 June 2019
A protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday was organised via social media and endorsed by the Julian Assange Defence Committee.
“I felt that sitting behind my laptop just wasn’t enough and so I decided to try and organise something myself”
Valentina Flex, organiser of Edinburgh Assange and Manning protest, speaks to the WSWS
By Steve James, 3 June 2019
Flex organised a protest in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning outside the US Consulate last Saturday.
Sydney Peace Prize recipients demand Australian government defend Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 June 2019
The statement was a powerful indictment of the Australian political and media establishment, which has abandoned the WikiLeaks founder or openly participated in his persecution.
Amid grave concerns for his health, Assange transferred to Belmarsh Prison medical wing
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 May 2019
The WSWS demands Assange’s immediate release from the maximum security prison and his transfer to a hospital with the best medical care available and with doctors of his choice.
Julian Assange and the degraded spectacle of Britain’s Guardian
By Robert Stevens, 30 May 2019
Under conditions in which the WikiLeaks journalist is facing life in prison or worse, the Guardian cannot bring itself to defend him.
Letter to Guardian demands retraction of false claim that Julian Assange faces “rape charge”
By Chris Marsden, 30 May 2019
The following is a letter to Britain’s Guardian from Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary Chris Marsden demanding the newspaper correct and apologise for lies they published in an editorial on Julian Assange.
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