September 6.2019
ELANA: The case of Julian Assange indeed is an historical event marking the end of what the United States once stood for. Already, most of us in the U.S. realize that if we speak out for Julian, we will be next on the targeting watch lists dedicated to the electronic concentration camp / Holocaust already underway here in the land of the Bill of Rights that once protected the individual from the State.
Thanks to Rose at The Con Trail: "Journalist John Pilger has issued a clear warning from WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange. He said that his persecution is designed to eliminate dissidents. "Speak now," said Pilger, or wake up in your silence "in a new kind of tyranny."
Assange is currently serving a 50-week prison sentence in Belmarsh Prison for missing a bail hearing in 2012. The US authorities are demanding his extradition for his role in publishing confidential documents and accuse him of espionage. Pilger spoke at a rally in front of the London Ministry of the Interior on Monday and sent a message from the WikiLeaks editor, who could be sentenced to 175 years in prison in case of extradition and conviction.
The event in central London, in front of the British Home Office and not far from Belmarsh Prison, attracted around 1,000 people.
In addition to John Pilger, the internationally renowned musician Roger Waters and the brother of the imprisoned Julian Assange, Gabriel Shipton, appeared. Gabriel had visited his brother in prison and reported that Julian described the prison as hell. John Pilger had accompanied him to Belmarsh Prison and described how Gabriel "was deeply moved by how his brother is being treated." It is no exaggeration to say that the treatment and persecution of Julian Assange is the way dictatorships treat a political prisoner.
Pilger went on to explain that there is a single reason for Assange's blatant treatment, namely that "Julian and WikiLeaks have done a historic public service by telling millions of people why and how their governments are cheating on them secretly and often illegal, why they invade countries, why they spy on us."
He also asked Julian Assange during his visit what he should tell people. Julian: 'It's not just about me. It goes much further. It's about us all. All journalists and all publishers doing their jobs are in danger."
According to Pilger, Julian Assange is locked up in a solitary cell in the hospital wing for more than 21 hours, sometimes longer, isolated from other people, denied resources and basic rights to prepare for the case for his extradition to the United States, not allowed to call his American lawyers, not allowed to access important documents nor use a computer.
Pilger also warned, "Journalism is not a crime in the United States, not yet. But when Julian is extradited and sentenced, he becomes a crime - journalism that does its job and tells people what governments are doing behind their backs on their behalf."
And further: "One wants to make an example of him. What happens to Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning should intimidate us, silence us. And the moment we fall silent, it's over. By defending Julian Assange, we defend our most sacred rights. Speak now or wake up in your silence in a new kind of tyranny."
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