Australian and New Zealand demonstrations demand freedom for WikiLeaks founder and US whistleblower
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
The weekend rallies point to growing international support for Assange and Manning and a deeper political understanding and determination to fight by important layers of students, workers and youth.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/sepa-f24.html
Assange's US extradition hearing begins: What's it all about and how did we get here?
rt.com | 2020-02-24
A London court is set to begin hearings to determine whether or not jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be extradited to the US on charges of conspiracy where he faces life in prison. | Assange has languished in London's top security Belmarsh Prison since he was dragged from London's Ecuadorian Embassy by British police in April last year and subsequently slapped with 18 charges under the US Espionage Act, which could see him sentenced to up to 175 years in prison. | The Australian journalist and whistleblower had, for the seven years prior, been living in the London embassy, where he had sought asylu…
rt.com/news/481432-assange-extradition-hearings-begin/
'Every journalist should feel a cold, icy hand running down their spine': Assange's extradition case examined in new RT doc
rt.com | 2020-02-24
With Julian Assange's US extradition hearing getting under way in London, RTD's new film sheds light on why the WikiLeaks founder's landmark case may lay the path for future prosecution of journalists. | "Every journalist in the United States should feel a cold, icy hand running down their spine at the charges that had been leveled against this publisher. Because they could be next," writer Suelette Dreyfus says about Assange whose project published leaked documents exposing possible US War crimes in Iraq and letters exposing shenanigans against Bernie Sanders in 2016 by bosses within the Democratic Party. | "
rt.com/news/481402-assange-journalism-rt-doc/
Assange's Trial for U.S. Extradition Begins in London
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-24
The first day of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's legal battle to prevent his extradition to the United States began on Monday amid strong social protests in support of the Australian journalist. | RELATED: | Jailed Wikileaks Founder Assange's Health Improving: Spokesman | The case for Assange's extradition to the U.S. was opened at Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London as the sound of protest was heard in the distance. The slogans "Free Julian Assange", "Journalism is not…
telesurenglish.net/news/assanges-trial-for-us-extradition-begins-in-london-20200224-0002.html
Day 1 of Assange's US extradition hearing: What you need to know
rt.com | 2020-02-24
Opening arguments were made on the first day of the US extradition hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, with the prosecution claiming his leaks risked lives while the defense argued that his case was politically motivated. | Monday's hearing lasted six hours, including breaks, and Judge Vanessa Baraitser heard arguments from James Lewis QC, representing the US government, and Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing Assange. | The journalist's supporters amassed outside Woolwich Crown Court, loudly chanting, holding 'free Assange' placards and blowing vuvuzelas. Inside the courtroom, Assange sat clean-shaven…
rt.com/news/481576-assange-extradition-hearing-begins/
'History will be kind to Julian Assange, not to his corrupt accusers and Judges' – Kim Dotcom on extradition trial
rt.com | 2020-02-24
Tech entrepreneur and activist Kim Dotcom took to Twitter on day one of the extradition hearing of journalist and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, launching a scathing attack on both the US prosecutors and the mainstream media. | Dotcom, aka Kim Schmitz, has long advocated for freedom of the press and criticized government overreach in the digital age. He has also frequently been a vocal champion of Assange and the WikiLeaks cause. | Also on rt.com | | Assange's US extradition hearing begins: What's it all about and how did we get here? | In hi…
rt.com/news/481561-kim-dotcom-history-kind-assange/
Don't Extradite Assange campaign calls on Boris Johnson to intervene
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
The struggle to free Julian Assange requires an implacable struggle by the working class against the Johnson and Trump governments now conspiring to silence him forever.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/demo-f24.html
'History will be kind to Julian Assange, not to his corrupt accusers and Judges' – Kim Dotcom on extradition trial
rt.com | 2020-02-24
Tech entrepreneur and activist Kim Dotcom took to Twitter on day one of the extradition hearing of journalist and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, launching a scathing attack on both the US prosecutors and the mainstream media. | Dotcom, aka Kim Schmitz, has long advocated for freedom of the press and criticized government overreach in the digital age. He has also frequently been a vocal champion of Assange and the WikiLeaks cause. | Also on rt.com | | Assange's US extradition hearing begins: What's it all about and how did we get here? | In hi…
rt.com/news/481561-kim-dotcom-history-kind-assange/
Julian Assange supporters protest outside court ahead of extradition hearing
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-24
Supporters of Julian Assange have gathered outside court as the WikiLeaks founder begins his fight against extradition to the US, where he is accused of helping to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents.Demonstrators, including Assange's father John Shipton, arrived at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, with some holding placards calling for his immediate release.Some said they had arrived as early as 6am, with signs reading: "Don't shoot the messenger, free Assange" and "Free Julian Assange, Nobel Peace Prize nominee". Tents were erected on nearby grass.John Shipton, the father of Julian Assange, speaks…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2020/02/24/julian-assange-supporters-protest-outside-court-ahead-of-extradition-hearing/
Socialist Equality Party (UK) holds London rally in defence of Assange and Manning
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
The meeting was attended by more than 130 workers, youth and students who came from all over the UK.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/lond-f24.html
Palestinian flag, Yellow Vests, Anonymous masks: Wide range of protester groups join demonstration in support of Assange (PHOTOS)
rt.com | 2020-02-24
Supporters of Julian Assange have staged quite a show outside Woolwich Court in London, throwing their artistic weight behind the embattled WikiLeaks co-founder. | Overlooked by a few policemen, dozens of protesters began amassing near the courthouse earlier on Monday, just as the judges began the closely-watched extradition hearing for Assange. | There was no shortage of conventional placards calling for Assange's release, but some activists showed unorthodox creativity. One protester, dressed as a biblical character, stole the show by carrying a yellowish cross, with the words "The truth will win" imprinted…
rt.com/news/481552-assange-protest-flags-masks/
'Every journalist should feel a cold, icy hand running down their spine': Assange's extradition case examined in new RT doc
rt.com | 2020-02-24
With Julian Assange's US extradition hearing getting under way in London, RTD's new film sheds light on why the WikiLeaks founder's landmark case may lay the path for future prosecution of journalists. | "Every journalist in the United States should feel a cold, icy hand running down their spine at the charges that had been leveled against this publisher. Because they could be next," writer Suelette Dreyfus says about Assange whose project published leaked documents exposing possible US War crimes in Iraq and letters exposing shenanigans against Bernie Sanders in 2016 by bosses within the Democratic Party. | "
rt.com/news/481402-assange-journalism-rt-doc/
Palestinian flag, Yellow Vests, Anonymous masks: Wide range of protester groups join demonstration in support of Assange (PHOTOS)
rt.com | 2020-02-24
Supporters of Julian Assange have staged quite a show outside Woolwich Court in London, throwing their artistic weight behind the embattled WikiLeaks co-founder. | Overlooked by a few policemen, dozens of protesters began amassing near the courthouse earlier on Monday, just as the judges began the closely-watched extradition hearing for Assange. | There was no shortage of conventional placards calling for Assange's release, but some activists showed unorthodox creativity. One protester, dressed as a biblical character, stole the show by carrying a yellowish cross, with the words "The truth will win" imprinted…
rt.com/news/481552-assange-protest-flags-masks/
Assange Extradition Hearing Opens with Scathing Condemnation by Mainstream Media
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-24
The extradition trial of Julian Assange began with the prosecution reading out a damning statement from five leading mainstream media organizations that once partnered with Wikileaks.
mintpressnews.com/assange-extradition-trail-condemnation-media/265167/
The U.S. Is the World Leader of Bio-Weapons Research, Production, and Use Against Mankind
Gary D. Barnett | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-24
Those that prevent disease and expose virus creation are heroic, but those that create and purposely spread disease and virus are inhuman. Given the history of the United States government and its military industrial complex concerning biological and germ warfare, …
globalresearch.ca/u-s-world-leader-bio-weapons-research-production-use-against-mankind/5704548
German government strengthens intelligence agencies and right-wing networks in state apparatus
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
The strengthening of the state apparatus, which is dominated of far-right networks, will be aimed above all at intimidating and suppressing widespread hostility to militarism and fascism.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/hana-f24.html
German government strengthens intelligence agencies and right-wing networks in state apparatus
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
The strengthening of the state apparatus, which is dominated by far-right networks, will be aimed above all at intimidating and suppressing widespread hostility to militarism and fascism.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/hana-f24.html
Washington, D.C., transit police engaged in competitions for highest number of arrests in the metro system
wsws.org | 2020-02-24
A whistleblower revealed that approximately 50 Metro Police in Washington, D.C., engaged in a weekly contest for number of arrests, tickets, and citations.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/24/metro-f24.html
Bolivia: Anatomy of a CIA Coup
Hugo Turner | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-24
Last November a horrifying coup took place overthrowing the socialist government of Bolivia and the nation's first indigenous president Evo Morales. It was a textbook example of a CIA coup recalling the dark days of Operation Condor when the | …
globalresearch.ca/bolivia-anatomy-cia-coup/5704575
'It Would be the End of Free Speech': Protest Against Assange's Extradition at Belmarsh Prison
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-24
Today is the day a London court begins hearing on what looks to become (or at least precede) one of the defining cases of the decade
Former Greek Finance Minister Slams Assange Case as 'Assault on Journalism'
sputniknews.com | 2020-02-24
The main court hearing on Julian Assange's extradition to the US kicks off in London on Monday as the WikiLeaks founder faces a spate of charges for his role in leaking classified documents about US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.
sputniknews.com/uk/202002241078393266-ex-greek-finance-minister-slams-assange-case-as-assault-on-journalism/
As Hearing Begins, Rights Groups Warn Extraditing Assange to US Would Deal 'Body Blow to Press Freedom'
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-02-24
Press freedom advocates slammed the U.S. over its pending espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Monday, as the first phase of Assange's extradition trial began in London. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-12083616281.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/24/hearing-begins-rights-groups-warn-extraditing-assange-us-would-deal-body-blow-press?cd-origin=rss
Julian Assange "Stop Extradition Protest" in London
acTVism Munich | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-23
This video documents the protest that took place in London on the 22nd of February 2020 to stop the extradition of Julian Assange. This protest was organised by the "Don't Extradite Assange Campaign." | CORRECTION IN VIDEO AT 00: 14: " … and 1 count of conspiracy 'to commit computer intrusion.'"
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/julian-assange-stop-extradition-protest-in-london/
Thousands Protest in London Against Assange Extradition Before Start of Hearing
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-23
The extradition hearing to decide whether to send Julian Assange to the United States to be tried for publishing classified military documents on Wikileaks is expected to finally begin on Monday in London. | Assange is charged with 17 counts under the Espionage Act, involving receipt, obtaining and disclosing national security information. He has also b…
truthout.org/articles/thousands-protest-in-london-against-assange-extradition-before-start-of-hearing/
Bernie Sanders Wins Big in Nevada Democratic Vote
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-23
Broad-based support across age, racial and ideological groups propelled Bernie Sanders to a dominant victory in Nevada's Democratic caucuses, tightening his grip on the front-runner spot in the race to find a challenger to President Donald Trump. | RELATED: | 'Don't Extradite Assange' is the Shout at London's Streets | Joe Biden, the former vice president, appeared headed to a badly needed second-place finish in Nevada after poor showings earlier this month in the first two nominating…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bernie-Sanders-Wins-Big-in-Nevada-Democratic-Vote-20200223-0001.html
Sanders wins sweeping victory in Nevada
wsws.org | 2020-02-23
Despite the intervention of the intelligence agencies, the corporate media and the Democratic Party establishment, young and working class voters gave overwhelming support to Sanders.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/22/neva-f23.html
Trudeau's Demand: "the barricades must come down"
Kim Petersen | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-23
Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau has called the imbroglio between the Wet'suwet'en nation and Canada a matter to be decided by the rule of law.1 However, the Wet'suwet'en have refused to back down and have defied the British Columbia Supreme Court injunction allowing pipeline work to continue. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were sent …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/trudeaus-demand-the-barricades-must-come-down/
Bid to free Manning launched as explosive new evidence threatens to end Assange extradition
Tom Coburg | thecanary.co | 2020-02-22
Lawyers acting on behalf of imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning have lodged a motion, arguing for her release. This comes as WikiLeaks tweeted that Julian Assange's lawyers intend to produce 'bombshell' evidence at next week's extradition hearing. | Meanwhile, more evidence has emerged to further the argument that the extradition hearings should end on th…
thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2020/02/22/bid-to-free-manning-launched-as-explosive-new-evidence-threatens-to-end-assange-extradition/
Ahead of Extradition Hearing, Hundreds March for Assange in London
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-22
LONDON–Hundreds of supporters of Julian Assange marched through London on Saturday to pressure the U.K. government into refusing to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the United States to face spying charges. | Famous Britons, including Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood joined the crowd protesting the U.S. espionage charges against the founder of the secret-spilling website. An extradition hearing for Assange is due to begin in a London court on Monday. | WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson told a rally outside Parliament that the prosecuti…
truthdig.com/articles/ahead-of-extradition-hearing-hundreds-march-for-assange-in-london/
Bid to free Manning launched as explosive new evidence threatens to end Assange extradition
Tom Coburg | thecanary.co | 2020-02-22
Lawyers acting on behalf of imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning have lodged a motion, arguing for her release. This comes as WikiLeaks tweeted that Julian Assange's lawyers intend to produce 'bombshell' evidence at next week's extradition hearing. | Meanwhile, more evidence has emerged to further the argument that the extradition hearings should end on th…
thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2020/02/22/bid-to-free-manning-launched-as-explosive-new-evidence-threatens-to-end-assange-extradition/
How Bernie Sanders Will Destroy the Deep State if He Becomes President
Eric Zuesse | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-22
Joe Lauria at Consortium News headlined on February 21st, "Apparent US Intel Meddling in US Election With 'Report' Russia is Aiding Sanders", and he noted that, If the story is true and if intelligence agencies are truly committed to protecting U.S. citizens, the Sanders campaign would have been quietly informed and shown evidence to back …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/how-bernie-sanders-will-destroy-the-deep-state-if-he-becomes-president/
US intelligence agencies meddle in Nevada primary to sabotage Sanders
wsws.org | 2020-02-22
On the eve of Nevada Democratic caucuses, the Washington Post reported that "US officials" told Sanders the Russian government was working to aid his campaign.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/22/sand-f22.html
'Totally sane': Dems can't make up their minds about who is a supposed 'Russian agent'. Trump? Bernie? Or… both?
rt.com | 2020-02-22
Former presidential candidate Eric Swalwell performed mental gymnastics on CNN to defend Bernie Sanders over alleged help from Russia, claiming Moscow does it in order to help its 'agent' Donald Trump. | The Democrats' overuse of Russian collusion conspiracy theories appears to be collapsing in on itself. First Trump supposedly worked with the country to meddle in the 2016 presidential election
'Don't Extradite Assange' is the Shout at London's Streets
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-22
In London, hundreds of free speech activists Saturday marched from the Australia House to Parliament Square in support of Julian Assange who faces a court that will decide whether or not to be extradited to the United States. | RELATED: | Europe's Human Rights Watchdog Opposes Assange's Extradition | Beginning Feb. 24, London's Woolwich Crown Court will…
telesurenglish.net/news/Dont-Extradite-Assange-is-the-Shout-at-Londons-Streets-20200222-0004.html
John Pilger: Julian Assange Must be Freed, Not Betrayed
John Pilger | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-21
On Saturday, there will be a march from Australia House in London to Parliament Square, the centre of British democracy. People will carry pictures of the Australian publisher and journalist Julian Assange who, on 24 February, faces a court that will decide whether or not he is to be extradited to the United States and a living death. | I know Australia House well. As an Australian myself, I used to go there in my early days in London to read the newspapers from home. Opened by King George V over a century ago, its vastness of marble and stone, chandeliers and solemn portraits, imported from Australia when Austra…
mintpressnews.com/john-pilger-julian-assange-must-be-freed-not-betrayed/265037/
'Hoax!' Trump hits back at latest claims that Russia will 'aid' his 2020 campaign
rt.com | 2020-02-21
US President Donald Trump has slammed the recently reported (but unsubstantiated) claims that Russia will interfere to help him win the 2020 presidential election, saying the rumors are just "another misinformation campaign." | The New York Times and other media reported on Thursday that Moscow is "aiding" Trump in the upcoming election, citing only anonymous intelligence officials. | Cable networks like MSNBC and CNN instantly amplified the unverified claims, setting in motion another round of 'Russiagate' conspiracy theorizing, almost eleven months after the two-year-long Mueller investigation found no evide…
rt.com/usa/481415-trump-tweet-russia-2020/
New push on cyber 'security' laws
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-21
civil liberties Viv MileyIssue 1254 Australia privacy Bill of RightsFebruary 21, 2020Worried about online privacy? You should be. Not only are social media corporations spying on you, thanks to Australia's dra…
greenleft.org.au/content/new-push-cyber-security-laws
"Leave Our Bloke Alone": A Little Mission for Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-20
I think that now it is time that the government I am a part of needs to be standing up and saying to both the UK and the US: 'enough is enough, leave our bloke alone and let him come home.'
The Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Asylum Seekers Receive Their Day in Court
Nicky Vogt | aclu.org | 2020-02-20
In March, we will be in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the right to a day in court for asylum seekers and other vulnerable noncitizens. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vs. Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam considers whether immigrants are entitled to seek judicial review of their expedited removal orders in federal court. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with our argument that the Constitution guarantees that individuals deprived of their liberty have their day in federal court. | That decision w…
aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/the-supreme-court-will-decide-whether-asylum-seekers-receive-their-day-in-court
Barrister says 'democracy at stake' in Assange trial
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-20
civil liberties Pip HinmanIssue 1254 Australia WhistleblowersFebruary 20, 2020February 24 is the first day of Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing at Belmarsh Prison in London. The United States government will argue for his extradition to the US.
greenleft.org.au/content/barrister-says-democracy-stake-assange-trial
New blow to media freedom, whistleblowers
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-19
Fighting Fund civil liberties Jim McIlroyIssue 1254 Australia The Afghan Files AFP raid ABCFebruary 19, 2020Federal Court judge We…
greenleft.org.au/content/new-blow-media-freedom-whistleblowers
While demanding Assange, US refuses to extradite CIA agent who killed British teen
Alexander Rubinstein | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-18
High-ranking CIA agent Anne Sacoolas is charged with killing a teenage British citizen. While the US demands Julian Assange's extradition,…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/18/assange-us-extradite-cia-killed-british-teen/
John Pilger: It is time for Julian Assange to be saved, not betrayed
John Pilger | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-18
The truth is that Australia could have rescued Julian Assange and can still rescue him. Leaders of his homeland who have…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/17/john-pilger-julian-assange-saved-betrayed/
Journalist: Harvey Weinstein's Defense Team Is Waging a War Against the #MeToo Movement
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-18
A jury of seven men and five women meet today in New York Supreme Court to begin deliberations on whether to find disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault. The case has drawn international attention amid the #MeToo movement. If the jurors find Weinstein guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women but in this case faces five charges based on evidence relating to two main accusers. One woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges she was raped by Weinstein in a New York hotel, for which he has been charged wit…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/18/irin_carmon_harvey_weinstein_trial_nyc
Journalist: Harvey Weinstein's Defense Team Is Waging a War Against the #MeToo Movement
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-18
A jury of seven men and five women meet today in New York Supreme Court to begin deliberations on whether to find disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault. The case has drawn international attention amid the #MeToo movement. If the jurors find Weinstein guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women but in this case faces five charges based on evidence relating to two main accusers. One woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges she was raped by Weinstein in a New York hotel, for which he has been charged wit…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/18/irin_carmon_harvey_weinstein_trial_nyc
Protest Julian Assange's extradition
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-18
civil liberties Kerry SmithIssue 1254 Australia whistleblowerFebruary 18, 2020Australian citizen Julian Assange's extradition hearing is set to start at Belmarsh Prison, London, on February 24. | The United States government wants to extradite the journalist and whis…
greenleft.org.au/content/protest-julian-assanges-extradition
John Pilger: Julian Assange must be freed, not betrayed
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-18
civil liberties John PilgerIssue 1254 Britain Julian Assange extraditionFebruary 18, 2020On February 22, there will be a march from Australia House in London to Parliament Square, the centre of British democracy. | People will carry pictures of the Australi…
greenleft.org.au/content/john-pilger-julian-assange-must-be-freed-not-betrayed
DOJ Investigating Former CIA Director's Role in Russiagate
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-17
The Justice Department is investigating the role of John Brennan in the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.
Deadline Looming, Strongest Surveillance Reform Bill Yet Emerges
Neema Singh Guliani | aclu.org | 2020-02-12
Congress has just five weeks to decide the fate of key foreign | intelligence surveillance powers