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Forum Post: Free Julian Assange! Save his Life from the US Government!

Posted 11 years ago on Aug. 17, 2012, 3:29 p.m. EST by mha (142)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

41 Comments

41 Comments


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[-] 4 points by greekemmy (4) 10 years ago

Hi everyone!

I am afraid I have some bad news. This petition which started as a support action for Julian Assange and WikiLeaks has been turned into something entirely different. See my bog post here: http://wp.me/p2MRYW-sO. If anyone has any contacts with Avaaz.org please share by contacting me at greekemmy@gmail.com as I would like to investigate this matter further.

As a background, I was a member and later moderator of an online forum that had been created to support Julian Assange and Wikileaks but I left in August 2012 (shortly after this petition was created) because the owner of the forum turned 180 degrees into an anti-WikiLeaks and anti-Assange operative. He kept the forum and a blog with everyone's posts but is now using it to harm the cause. Take a look at what has been done at the petition for example :-(

We have to be very careful about electronic petitions, but is there a way for Avaaz to act on this issue, does anyone have prior experience with them?

This is my first visit to your forum. In my google search about this petition this forum post came up, so I thought to join and let you know about what I found out.

Many many thanks - Emmy

[-] 3 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Signed. Julian Assange is a courageous hero. His sacrifice must be remembered.

Free Assange.

[-] 3 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

thank you! i can't say what kind of person he is, but he risks his life to spread information that the governments don't want us to know!

please share the link!!!

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

reply

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

reply

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 10 years ago

Julian Assange/Wikileaks,

Thanks for the TPP intelligence, so the people of the U.S. know what conspiracies are being planned behind their backs. Julian Assange/Wikileaks = The People's Keith Alexander/NSA.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Signed & Tweeted.

Whistle Blowers Should Be Supported NOT Hounded.

Governments are "Not" Above The Law.

[-] 2 points by richardkentgates (3269) 11 years ago

Same here

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Agree!! planets must be aligned

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

there are no solidarity-demonstrations in my town that's why i try to show my outrage by signing those stupid petitions.

there should be a similar homepage to organize demonstrations instead of organizing petitions.

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

thank you! i totally agree. unfortunately all governments and powerful/rich people seem to believe they ARE above the Law.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

The Public must disabuse them of that notion.

[-] -1 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

I haven’t followed this case, but if I understand correctly he is wanted for sexual assault, or something like that. Has nothing to do with Wiki. Why doesn’t he just take his day in court. His running away makes me think he is guilty of the allegations.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Sex assault? That's the 1st I have heard of it. Got a report link?

[-] 1 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

You will find a complete timeline of the Assange fiasco and the accusations against him, which include charges and issuance of an international warrant by interpol at this site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11949341

There is an international arrest warrant in effect for Assange for fleeing Sweden in the face of sexual misconduct allegations including rape. If he's innocent, he should return to Sweden.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Thx 4 The Update.

[-] 0 points by john23 (-272) 11 years ago

You gotta be careful with stuff like this and guys in this position.....governments will do/create anything to destroy a man like this....even if it's not true. If he took his day in court and left equador, his ass would never see the light of day again.

[-] 0 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

You seem to assume this is a government conspiracy just to get rid of the guy. I guess it’s possible, but I don’t think likely. I doubt Sweden would let itself be used that way. Maybe some other countries with a less ethical record this could happen, but I don’t think Sweden is in that category.

As I said earlier, I haven’t followed the case, so I don’t have a lot of details. But I view sexual assault as a serious crime; and if he is guilty maybe he shouldn’t see the light of day again. Being rich and famous should not allow you to pick and choose which laws you want to obey. I stand by my statement that he should go to Sweden and respond to the allagations.

[-] 1 points by john23 (-272) 11 years ago

And would his trial be made public and without political bias if he did? Similar to bradly mannings?? Don't forget we're now the country that can assassinate american citizens, and ship people off to detention facilities without a trial. It's a different world these days.

[-] 1 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

I think the trial should and would be public, at least as much as any other criminal trial would normally be. You seem to quick to overlook that he may be a rapist just because you like what he has done with Wiki. I separate the two. Anyone, rich, poor or famous should not be able to escape responding to criminal charges because they have otherwise done good things. Remember Joe Paterno? Should they have let him slide because he was a good coach?

[-] 1 points by john23 (-272) 11 years ago

" Anyone, rich, poor or famous should not be able to escape responding to criminal charges because they have otherwise done good things"

I agree with that....but i also think his day in court should be one in a court where justice is pursued..and not a vendetta.

You use paterno as an example....i think that's a perfect choice. The public trial was played out and the man wasn't given a chance to explain what truly happened (even though he wanted to publicly but was told by the university that he wasn't aloud). The public grabbed onto a private report instead of letting things play out in the courts. I went to penn state and its a shame people around the country are so quick to judge when they haven't sat down and gone through the facts in detail (including reading the 300 page report...knowing Freeh's history with reports....knowing the dynamic between the governor and penn state and the campaign donations etc.). There is a lot behind the scenes....but you can sell a lot of papers providing a story in a certain way.

These are the types of things that would occur unless assange is given a trial on neutral grounds. I don't claim to know he's innocent. But i do know that our government has destroyed people for far less than wikileaks and every person deserves an honest day in court.

[-] 1 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

OK, you have me on the Paterno case. I only know what was on the news. There very well may have been extenuating circumstances. Its just I hate people who hurt kids. I think they all should be hung in the town square. But I digress.

I’m not sure I believe responding to criminal charges in the Swedish legal system would constitute a vendetta. I think Sweden is probably one of the most natural grounds you could find. Sweden isn’t a lapdog to the US. I guess what I’m saying I think he would receive a fair trial in Sweden; and at this point it’s not clear if there would even be a trial.

When a warrant is out for your arrest it’s generally not a good idea to run. At some point, in some way, he will be brought to answer the charges. Better that he deal with it rather than have to live on the run. Remember Roman Polanski?

[-] 1 points by john23 (-272) 11 years ago

"Its just I hate people who hurt kids. I think they all should be hung in the town square."

I'm right there with ya.

yeah he is going to have to face the charges some day...i just hope he gets a fair shake....and if he's truly guilty, i agree lock him up...no doubt about it.

[-] 0 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

Assange isn't US citizen, so I think we can drone him even easier.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/assange-prosecutor-quits-while-accuser-sacks-lawyer-20130328-2gwjk.html

Just an honest update on this heros situation.

That's how I roll.

[-] 0 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

You are correct. Assange is wanted for rape and sexual assault in Sweden. So, I'm not quite sure how the US government fits in the picture, unless the OP is saying that Sweden will kowtow to American requests for extradition to this country.

At any rate he is not being charged with any crime related to wikileaks. The Swedish government wants him to face trial for rape and sexual assault. I'm not sure how all that fits into the picture of his being persecuted for his role in wikileaks.

[-] 1 points by inclusionman (7064) 10 years ago

Free Assange. Don't forget his sacrifice for our benefit.

http://www.nationofchange.org/top-swedish-judge-defends-wikileaks-assange-1365089831

[-] 1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 11 years ago

Assange has not been charged with any crime in Sweden. Sweden wants to question him regarding allegations only. Assange has repeatedly offered to go to Sweden if they will agree not to extradite him to the US and they have refused. Assange also has invited them to question him in the UK and they have refused.

If he has committed a sex crime, he should face those charges, but more and more it appears to be a ruse to get him to the US to face espionage charges.

The US Justice Dept has convened a grand jury to investigate whether Assange has violated the Espionage Act.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/20/julian-assange-right-asylum

[-] 0 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

Assange has been accused. If he's innocent he should return to Sweden, which is hardly a puppet of the US.

[-] 1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 11 years ago

He is willing too if Sweden will agree not to extradite him. Sweden has refused.

[-] 0 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

Let me see, Assange hasn't been charged with anything in the US, so why even make that request, except as a straw man proposal. He's been accused in Sweden, a sovereign nation with its own legal system, that country has no reason to accept any conditions from him

[-] 1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 11 years ago

The US Justice Dept has convened a grand jury to investigate whether Assange has violated the Espionage Act.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/20/julian-assange-right-asylum

[-] 0 points by TitusMoans (2451) from Boulder City, NV 11 years ago

I don't see any charges. This whole mess smells, and it isn't just from this side of the Atlantic.

First, Assange sought asylum in Sweden. That fizzled. Then he was accused of assorted sexual crimes. He could easily clear his name by returning to Sweden. Until the US files charges, he has no reason to be extradited. I wonder what his excuse will be, if the federal grand jury returns no charges.

[-] 1 points by john23 (-272) 11 years ago

For any of you that have missed it, assange did a number of shows that were pretty interesting on RT. Talks to world leaders and gets their perspective of different things happening. Thought they were pretty good, and gives a voice to the other side of the argument against the west.

http://assange.rt.com/correa-episode-six/

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

thank you very much for the link!

[-] 1 points by ediblescape (235) 11 years ago

Thank you for the link.

[-] 1 points by Nevada1 (5843) 11 years ago

Signed. Thank you mha for this forum post.

[-] 0 points by brudlo (-454) 11 years ago

keep him in the embassy ( jail). as soon as he leaves the grounds, he is no longer protected by asylum.

[-] 0 points by Lucky1 (-125) from Wray, CO 11 years ago

If he has sexually assaulted women he needs to be brought to account. Where are the feminists here?

[-] 2 points by mha (142) 11 years ago

i totally agree.

but this is about more than sexual assault. Sweden claims to only question him about the case, once he is in their custody.

So GB is willing to break international law to bring him into a country only for questioning? why can't they question him right where he is?

the thing is, Sweden refused to assure him that he will not be delivered to the US - where he, once in captivity, will never be free again for what he has done.

And what he has done, is to show us information, the governments around the world don't want us to see. We need people like him, who sacrifice their personal life to fight for transparency.

Transparency is crucial for any demoracy.