Outside the Parliament in London, a determined crowd of campaigners and supporters gathered to demand the release of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, who faces extradition to the United States for publishing sensitive documents about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Stella Assange, Julian’s wife, joined the protest, emphasizing that her husband could be just a few weeks away from extradition and that this was the end game. The stakes are high, not only for Assange’s life and freedom but also for press freedoms and freedom of speech rights.
Many world leaders have spoken out in support of Assange’s release, including presidents, prime ministers, and institutions. Labour MPs Apsana Begum and John McDonnell addressed the crowd, urging for Assange’s freedom. The protest featured a life-sized bronze sculpture of Assange, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning, each standing on their own chair, created by artist Davide Dormino and author Charles Glass. The sculpture, titled “Anything to Say,” emphasized the importance of defending freedom of speech and the right to know.
Julian Assange (Via Julian Assange/Twitter)
The empty chair, representing the general population, sparked reflection and contemplation among the crowd. The caption “stand up instead of sit like the others” encouraged people to stand up for their beliefs and challenge the status quo. The event’s message was clear: journalism is not a crime, and whistleblowers like Assange should be protected, not persecuted. The protesters’ demand for Assange’s release echoes the sentiments of human rights and press freedom groups worldwide, who argue that the case against him should be dropped.
