How to Support Julian Assange & Wikileaks/Free Speech
This issue is complex and the ripples from all the Wikileaks revelations may have longer reaching effects than we anticipate, but i think it’s important to act on whats happening now which is the trampling of the First Amendment by the shutting down of Wikileaks and many other websites, the unjust treatment of Julian Assange, Wikileaks founder, and the slow and ineffectual response of the Australian government to offer support to one of its citizens.
This post is intended to provide a list of the practical things can do to try to ensure fair legal treatment for Julian Assange and protect free speech and the Wikileaks project. If you’re organising an event in support of Assange or Wikileaks, or have some other practical resources to share, please leave the details in comments and I will add them to the list.
Direct contact to government
Phone Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s office (02) 6277 7700, and Attorney-General Robert McLelland’s office ((02) 6277 7300 and tell them you support free speech, due process and expect them to provide full support to Julian Assange in his upcoming legal battle overseas. [When I called the AG’s office, they suggested also putting it in writing and provided the email address: attorney @ ag.gov.au, so a quick email is suggested as well.
While you’re at it, why not look up your local MP and call them and tell them too?
ONLINE WAYS TO SUPPORT ASSANGE AND FREE SPEECH:
Sign the Avaaz petition “Wikileaks: Stop the Crackdown”
Sign the GetUp petition “Media on Trial”
Sign the open letter to Julia Gillard by Jeff Sparrow Elizabeth O’Shea and at the ABC website (leave your name as a comment).