Free Assange Rally in Sydney

with speeches by brother Gabriel Shipton, lawyer Stephen Kenny, whistleblower David McBride, father John Shipton and wife Stella Assange

Published: 2023-05-25 (AEST)

Updated 2023-05-29: Added interview with Stephen Kenny published by Consortium News (Mr. Kenny gave a stiring speech at the rally).

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The Gathering and Speeches

The Free Assange rally in Sydney's inner-city Hyde Park was blessed by a beautiful warm and clear skied Autumn day. Around 500 people joined the march which followed the gathering by the fountain in the park.

[Image: the Hyde Park fountain at which we all gathered, with a rainbow enabled by the fountain’s spray.]

Festivities were opened with an anti-war song which included a verse for Julian Assange and had the growing crowd singing along. Former Senator Scott Ludlum began his role as master of ceremonies by introducing a representative of the local indigenous community. The gathering was welcomed to country, the lands of the Gadigal people.

[Image: Former Australian Senator Scott Ludlum did an excellent job as Master of Cermonies.]

Gabriel Shipton, brother of Assange and film maker of Ithaka began the speakers list. He asked if anyone had seen Joe Biden? Having raise a laugh from the crowd, he spoke of freedom of speech movements and the importance of a free press for a democratic society. He touched on the AUKUS deal and asked, if Australia is an equal partner in this trio, would the “special relationship” USA/UK listen to Australia’s Prime Minister and leader of the opposition and 76% of its people?

[Image: Julian’s brother Gabriel begins to address the gathering with a section of a portait of his brother in the foreground.]

Gabriel was followed by Stephen Kenny, an Australian barrister and lawyer who advised on the case to free Australian David Hicks from Guantanamo Bay. He spoke elegantly of people's innate desire for justice. His Irish heritage and the legacy of his forebear’s experience at the hands of the British Justice system has taught him of its failings. He advised the crowd that the 1000 page submission to the British High Court, to establish the cross-appeal which would challenge the legal arguments accepted by the magistrate's court, is not a process of deciding whether the appeal is likely to succeed or has merit. It is purely a process of reading the submission and asking if there is a case to be made. Seeing as those points of law include the risk to the freedom of the press, and that the case is political and the treaty under which the extradition request is submitted denies political offenses, it would seem fairly obvious that there are plenty of interesting arguments to be made based on civil liberties or the validity of the request. This is without even considering that the basis for the charge Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is replete with technical errors and the star witness has recounted his testimony. Mr. Kenny estimated it would take him a week, if he read slowly. The papers were submitted to the British judiciary last year in November, six months ago.

[Image: Mr Kenny and a smiling Stella after the speeches were delivered.]

Mr. Kenny was followed by David McBride, the Australian Defence Force's Special Air Services lawyer who became a whistleblower when he learned of extrajudicial murders (read war crimes) being committed by Australia's SAS personnel in Afghanistan. He still stands to be imprisoned for the rest of his life if the prosecution against him releasing this information to the media is successful. He has been an avid supporter of Assange and belonged on the stage given the similarity of their cases. He gave a rousing speech which encouraged vociferous responses from those gathered, especially when he declared that alerting others to the commission of crimes is not a crime itself!

[Image: McBride (right) being interviewed after the speeches, with Gabriel in the background.]

The next address was by John Shipton, Julian Assange's father. Mr. Shipton is softly spoken. His speech informed the crowd of a history of Australian heroes. It was a speech not for those who wished to be encouraged to shout in support but for those who wished to listen and consider this moment in history. It was elegantly argued and added poignancy to the event. (An extended article devoted to the speech will likely be published this coming weekend.)

[Image: Mr Shipton speaks with a member of the crowd before proceedings began.]

Mrs Stella Assange concluded the speeches, repeating the message she began delivering at the National Press Club two days earlier, thanking those gathered for their enduring support. She again referred to the suffering being imposed on her and Julian’s children at the hands of those who are persecuting her husband.

[Image: Stella Assange addresses the gathering.]

The March

Following boisterous applause for Stella's speech, Scott Ludlum returned as MC to coordinate the end of the gathering and beginning of the march. The speakers all took the stage for a photo opportunity, and the leading banner of the march moved to the northern exit of the park.

[Image: the speakers on the podium after speeches were delivered: John Shipton, Stephen Kenny, Stella Assange, Gabriel Shipton, David McBride and (MC) Scott Ludlum.]

It was at this point that Mr. Ludlum thanked the police for turning up ("they turn up to all of our events!"), which drew further mirth and a little applause from the crowd.

There were approximately 4 groups of four officers present, all wearing standard equipment, which included side arms. The sidearms seemed a little strange for a peaceful political gathering in a nation where the most common cause of death due to assault is with a knife. (Just a couple of days ago a 95 year old woman weighing 45 Kilograms, using a walking frame was tazed twice by a NSW police officer. The officer has deservingly been charged with several offenses including aggrevated assault.)

The march was appropriately noisy up front and calm in the middle and tail. The police escort followed and was bolstered by "march marshalls" who closed and re-opened roads to facilitate the march along the pre-arranged and agreed route.

Democracy was in action, as they say.

Some art and the media

Apart from the usual banners, ribbons and t-shirts a wonderful, very large portrait (acryllic on canvas) of Julian was present at the gathering.

[Image: a portrait of Assange.]

As for reporters, there were a few independent ones present. A videographer for RT or Ruptly and Cathy Vogan from Consortium news were there (See below for Cathy’s videos for Consortium News). A photographer from Australia's Nine News must also have been there, as they included photographs from the event in their article (see Other Coverage below), though the included video interview with Stella is from the day before.

The event was a success and a pleasure to attend.

Download

• Audio (40 MB, about 40 minutes): all of the speeches

• Video (120 MB, 47 seconds of high definition): the beginning of the march

Other Coverage

WATCH: Biden Missing, But Assange Sydney Rally Goes On, Cathy Vogan, Consortium News, 2023-05-24

WATCH: CN Live! ‘Rescuing Assange’, Cathy Vogan interviews Stephen Kenny and Bruce Afran, Consortium News, 2023-05-28

Julian Assange’s Family Says His Release Could Be Closer Than Ever as Australia Ups Diplomatic Push, DemocracyNow, 2023-05-24

Stella Assange appeals to PM to help free husband in first visit to Australia, Nathan Schmidt, News.com.au (the Nine Network, Australia), 2023-05-24

Julian Assange's supporters say campaign for release on 'cusp of success', Lewis Jackson, Reuters, 2023-05-24

ABC (Australian National Broadcaster): nothing on the front page of their news website about the event. Boo to them.

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