2012-07-24 WikiLeaks News Update: WikiLeaks releases still considered classified by US; New Assange TV special


WikiLeaks has been financially blockaded without process for 598 days.
Julian Assange has been detained without charge for 595 days.
- 35 days at the Ecuadorian Embassy.
Bradley Manning has been imprisoned without trial for 792 days.
A secret Grand Jury has been active in the U.S. without transparency for 678 days.


WikiLeaks News:

  • In a recent case involving the ACLU, the US Government has won the right to act as though cables released by WikiLeaks are still classified. Previously, the ACLU had requested cables made public by WikiLeaks under the Freedom of Information Act, only to receive them redacted in part or full.
  • EFF's Trevor Timm wrote on how the WikiLeaks Grand Jury is so dangerous, as we now see members of Congress wanting to prosecute journalists at The New York Times for reporting on classified information.
  • Tunisian human rights campaigner Sami Ben Gharbia appeared on ABC Lateline to discuss WikiLeaks, social media, and the Arab Spring uprising.
  • ABC RadioNational Law Report has audio and transcript of their discussion on the WikiLeaks Grand Jury and whether Julian Assange's concern over it is justified. The discussion features Anita Barraud, Professor David Weisbrot, and Professor Larry Siegel.


Julian Assange News:

  • ABC Four Corners aired a new special, "Sex, Lies, and Julian Assange", which focused on the sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Assange and his legal battles. The full episode, transcript, and extended interviews with Mr Assange, Per E Samuelson, Claes Borgström, and Birgitta Jónsdóttir are available on the Four Corners website. (Also mirrored on YouTube.)
  • In a new interview from "Sex, Lies, and Julian Assange", Mr Assange explained that a major part in his decision to seek asylum was due to a late-night visit on the night the UK Supreme Court rejected to reopen his case by the security contractor who maintained the electronic manacle around his ankle.

    Another reason was that the 14-day period he was supposed to have in order to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights was reduced to zero.

  • Justice for Assange posted a "Declaration of Abandonment" from the Australian Government in which they denied all 16 requests for assistance from Julian Assange's lawyer Gareth Pierce in full. The requests included assurances against U.S. extradition and, if extradited to Sweden, being held in similar conditions as he was held under in the UK.

Image

  • Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, wrote an op-ed in The Guardian which discusses how free speech advocates should be supporting Julian Assange's asylum bid, not inventing a media crackdown in Ecuador.
  • Australian lawyers for Julian Assange sent a letter to the federal government warning that Mr Assange would almost certainly be indicted by the U.S. if sent to Sweden, and would then face similar treatment to that of Bradley Manning. Crikey's Bernard Keane wrote on the response to this letter, which included a point blank refusal to answer certain questions from the acting Attorney-General Jason Clare.
  • Suelette Dreyfus wrote an article about how she got to know Julian Assange, the sexual misconduct allegations against him, and the importance of WikiLeaks' revelations.
  • WL Central has posted a new interview with Christine Assange in which she discusses the current status of WikiLeaks and her son, and what people can do to help.
  • Giant chalk-art supporting Julian Assange in his bid for asylum was created during "Chalkupy" at Occupy Oakland.
  • Ecuadorian newspaper El Telégrafo has a webpage dedicated to WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, and his bid for asylum. They also have a counter on their front page for days since he entered the Ecuadorian Embassy.
  • WikiLeaks asked that those who know Olympians have them come to the Ecuadorian Embassy and help bring awareness to Julian Assange's plight.
  • Actor Jeremy Renner is looking into playing Julian Assange in the upcoming WikiLeaks film produced by DreamWorks.


Bradley Manning News:

  • The Bradley Manning Support Network published an article previewing Bradley's upcoming August 27-31 hearings, which will focus on his treatment at Quantico Marine Base.
  • The Alyona Show reported on the latest developments in Bradley Manning's case. Watch the segment below.
  • Legal experts say that the latest ruling in Bradley Manning's motion hearings to prevent discussion of harm could hurt the defence's case.
  • The Bradley Manning Support Network is calling on people to take action in support of Bradley and WikiLeaks on July 25, the second anniversary of the release of the Afghan War Logs.
  • Author Dave Lefcourt wrote an op-ed about the lack of actual "justice" Bradley Manning is receiving in his legal proceedings.



............................................

Upcoming Dates & Events:

July 25: Action Day - Second anniversary of Afghan War Logs.

July 26: WikiLeaks unlawfully financially blockaded for 600 days.

July 29: Julian Assange detained for 600 days without charge.

July 31: Bradley Manning in jail for 800 days without trial.

August 26: Manning lawyer David Coombs to speak in Washington DC.

August 27 - 31: Bradley Manning pre-trial hearings.

September 13: Bradley Manning pre-trial hearings.

November 2012 ~ January 2013: Estimated time frame for Bradley Manning's court martial.