04:19Dozens of supporters of Julian Assange gathered outside the Australian High Commission in London on Wednesday, demanding an end to his extradition, with President Joe Biden reportedly considering an Australian request to drop the charges.
Footage captures WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson in the crowd, with placards 'Crushing Assange is the start of the surveillance state', 'Political prisoner, free trial impossible' and 'Australia, stand up for Julian Assange'.
"The American government now has until April 16th, next week, to deliver assurances that they will honour the rights of Julian Assange as a journalist," said Hrafnsson.
"I would say to Joe Biden look deep in your heart and what do you want your legacy to be? Do you want your legacy to be the president that you possibly was responsible for the death of the most awarded journalist of our time? Or do you want to do the right thing? Use your influence on the Justice Department to drop the charges against Julian. It is the right thing to do," he added.
On Wednesday, Biden said he was 'considering' Australia's request to drop charges, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called 'encouraging'. Last month, media outlets reported that the US could be considering a plea deal.
The US is attempting to extradite Assange from the UK, with the case currently adjourned until May. Judges have asked Washington for 'assurances' that an extradition and the case would not contravene freedom of expression, wouldn't involve any prejudice during a trial regarding Assange's nationality and would not mean the death penalty in the case of conviction.
He is wanted by US authorities on 18 charges, following the release of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Assange remains in Belmarsh prison, where he has been held since being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy and arrested in April 2019.
'Look deep into your heart' - WikiLeaks editor-in-chief urges Biden to halt Assange extradition as US president 'considering' Australian request
Dozens of supporters of Julian Assange gathered outside the Australian High Commission in London on Wednesday, demanding an end to his extradition, with President Joe Biden reportedly considering an Australian request to drop the charges.
Footage captures WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson in the crowd, with placards 'Crushing Assange is the start of the surveillance state', 'Political prisoner, free trial impossible' and 'Australia, stand up for Julian Assange'.
"The American government now has until April 16th, next week, to deliver assurances that they will honour the rights of Julian Assange as a journalist," said Hrafnsson.
"I would say to Joe Biden look deep in your heart and what do you want your legacy to be? Do you want your legacy to be the president that you possibly was responsible for the death of the most awarded journalist of our time? Or do you want to do the right thing? Use your influence on the Justice Department to drop the charges against Julian. It is the right thing to do," he added.
On Wednesday, Biden said he was 'considering' Australia's request to drop charges, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called 'encouraging'. Last month, media outlets reported that the US could be considering a plea deal.
The US is attempting to extradite Assange from the UK, with the case currently adjourned until May. Judges have asked Washington for 'assurances' that an extradition and the case would not contravene freedom of expression, wouldn't involve any prejudice during a trial regarding Assange's nationality and would not mean the death penalty in the case of conviction.
He is wanted by US authorities on 18 charges, following the release of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Assange remains in Belmarsh prison, where he has been held since being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy and arrested in April 2019.
Dozens of supporters of Julian Assange gathered outside the Australian High Commission in London on Wednesday, demanding an end to his extradition, with President Joe Biden reportedly considering an Australian request to drop the charges.
Footage captures WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson in the crowd, with placards 'Crushing Assange is the start of the surveillance state', 'Political prisoner, free trial impossible' and 'Australia, stand up for Julian Assange'.
"The American government now has until April 16th, next week, to deliver assurances that they will honour the rights of Julian Assange as a journalist," said Hrafnsson.
"I would say to Joe Biden look deep in your heart and what do you want your legacy to be? Do you want your legacy to be the president that you possibly was responsible for the death of the most awarded journalist of our time? Or do you want to do the right thing? Use your influence on the Justice Department to drop the charges against Julian. It is the right thing to do," he added.
On Wednesday, Biden said he was 'considering' Australia's request to drop charges, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called 'encouraging'. Last month, media outlets reported that the US could be considering a plea deal.
The US is attempting to extradite Assange from the UK, with the case currently adjourned until May. Judges have asked Washington for 'assurances' that an extradition and the case would not contravene freedom of expression, wouldn't involve any prejudice during a trial regarding Assange's nationality and would not mean the death penalty in the case of conviction.
He is wanted by US authorities on 18 charges, following the release of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Assange remains in Belmarsh prison, where he has been held since being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy and arrested in April 2019.