Disappearing the Messenger
Almost 4 years in jail for publishing true information, and 10 years more of arbitrary detention if you wish to tally.
[Image: by Caitlin Johnstone.]
Published 2023-03-13
Political Prisoners
Why should we not raise our voices to support political prisoners? How is it that a publisher and journalist sits in the maximum security prison in the UK? His singular offense, bail violation, was served over two years ago. That sentence was extreme and illegitimate. He had sought, and was granted, political asylum from Ecuador. Thus, the local "bail" law is overridden by the international law of asylum to which the UK is signatory. This is Assange's one conviction, and is completely bogus. The result is 14 years of effective or actual prison for telling the truth. This is the USA and UK.
Assange's persecution began with the Swedish investigation (not prosecution, no charges were ever laid), which had no evidence, was abondoned and recreated. The witnesses did not want to prosecute etc. etc.. The whole thing is a fraud, a fraud. But, this publisher and journalist whose site, Wikileaks, has exposed more crimes by the USA and many, many other nations than any other publishing organisation is sitting in prison on remand for extradition to the States under the threat of the 1917 statute for espionage which was immediately used to control political dissent. Its history describes itself.
This is purely and simply an attack on free speech and the media. One shall NOT be allowed to publish embarassing facts about the actions of the USA or NATO. Worse, you shall not be able to establish a mechanism which provides for these publications.
Assange's wife, Stella, his brother, Gabriel and his father, John, have been doing their best to create popular resistance to the persecution of their husband, brother or son. Cross-member political groups have been created around the world, including in Australia and many European states. Why? This is intolerable.
There are collective statements supporting Assange against his persecution by lawyers, doctors, diplomats and former heads of state, not to mention artists. This persecution is intolerable. The extra-legal case undermines the rule of law and elements of the European convention on human rights. Assange's persecution undermines the very core principles of European politics and human rights.
Okay. Enough. See the interview below for the latest calm response to this insanity by Julian's brother, Gabriel. Thanks, Scott Horton.
I include Caitlin Johnstone's recent publication for she has my deepest respect.
Sources
Gabriel Shipton on his Brother Julian Assange’s Fight for Freedom, Scott Horton interviews Gabriel Shipton, Scott Horton Show, 2023-03-10
The Disappearing of Julian Assange: Death To A Story, (the ever excellent) Caitlin Johnstone, her newsletter, 2023-03-10
Culture
U2 - With Or Without You (Official Music Video), again from the 1987 "Joshua Tree" album by U2, their youtube channel, uploaded 2017-07-15
Do NOT watch the video. Listen.
Notice that the song is controlled by the bass. Adam Clayton doing his thing.
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Copyright and Licensing
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Caitlin Johnstone, I love your work. You are a talisman.
This really puts new meaning to the pathologization of dissent.
Instead of the priests of psychiatry being weaponized, in this case they weaponized the priests of statism in the courts, but the results are the same.