Media release – Launceston for Assange, 16 May 2024
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At this crucial juncture of the Julian Assange US extradition case (final UK appeal hearing 20th May), Launceston for Assange combines with groups all across Australia under the banner of the #FreeAssange campaign, calling for citizens and representatives alike to speak up and demand that the US drop its extradition case against Julian and allow him to return to Australia and his family.
Launceston for Assange are holding a demonstration in Civic Square, Launceston City on Sunday 19 May at 4pm. We will be joined by Greens’ Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Bridget Archer MP and Launceston lawyer, Vanessa Bleyer to raise awareness about what we, as Australian citizens, can do to help bring Julian Assange home. We invite all media outlets and journalists to attend and cover the event or join in the call by writing their own piece to raise awareness of this demonstration and the larger Free Assange campaign.
All journalists must surely appreciate the chilling effect this massive over-reach by the Trump administration (perpetuated by the Biden administration), has on the media’s freedom to publish information in the public interest. Without this unquestionable freedom of the press from persecution, there can be no true democracy that requires voters to base their decisions of whom they support or elect to represent them on factual, unbiased, uncensored information.
It is of utmost importance that journalists all over Australia now speak up for their freedoms while also helping correct the public on many of the myths surrounding Julian’s heroic deeds, house arrest in exile and subsequent neglect in a high security hell hole where he does not belong, having not received any sentencing because no charges have been upheld.
All citizens must surely recognise the gross injustice against this man and his family and speak up now lest their civil rights, their ‘right to know’ is further eroded incrementally and irretrievably. It is the duty of the media to ensure that they do recognise this; arm and encourage them to speak truth to power. Please attend to find out the many levers that can be utilised to make Australia’s message loud and clear: Free Assange now!
Together, we can ensure that the plight of journalists does not go unnoticed, and that the freedom of the press remains a cornerstone of democratic societies worldwide.
