٠٠:٠٣:٢١Dozens of supporters came together in Sydney on Monday to rally and celebrate the 52nd birthday of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks.
Footage showcases participants holding banners with the words 'Happy Birthday,' singing the birthday song and blowing out candles on a cake.
Protesters emphasized that their support for Assange's freedom was not just about him, but also about their own freedom, particularly the freedom of the press.
"We just want to see his freedom, but we also want our freedom, our freedom to say what we think, it's in our best interest. And what is in our best interest, is the free press. So we demand the free press, we demand the right to thought, and this is why we are here today," said James, a rally participant.
The WikiLeaks founder has been imprisoned in the UK since 2019, where he is awaiting a final hearing of his appeal against the British government's decision to extradite him to the United States.
He faces charges in the US for releasing over 700,000 confidential documents on American military and diplomatic actions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in 2010.
He faces up to 175 years in jail if convicted. Former British Home Secretary Priti Patel approved Assange's extradition in June 2022, while his team is continuing to appeal.
Australia: Assange supporters rally in Sydney to celebrate 52nd birthday of WikiLeaks founder
Dozens of supporters came together in Sydney on Monday to rally and celebrate the 52nd birthday of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks.
Footage showcases participants holding banners with the words 'Happy Birthday,' singing the birthday song and blowing out candles on a cake.
Protesters emphasized that their support for Assange's freedom was not just about him, but also about their own freedom, particularly the freedom of the press.
"We just want to see his freedom, but we also want our freedom, our freedom to say what we think, it's in our best interest. And what is in our best interest, is the free press. So we demand the free press, we demand the right to thought, and this is why we are here today," said James, a rally participant.
The WikiLeaks founder has been imprisoned in the UK since 2019, where he is awaiting a final hearing of his appeal against the British government's decision to extradite him to the United States.
He faces charges in the US for releasing over 700,000 confidential documents on American military and diplomatic actions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in 2010.
He faces up to 175 years in jail if convicted. Former British Home Secretary Priti Patel approved Assange's extradition in June 2022, while his team is continuing to appeal.
Dozens of supporters came together in Sydney on Monday to rally and celebrate the 52nd birthday of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks.
Footage showcases participants holding banners with the words 'Happy Birthday,' singing the birthday song and blowing out candles on a cake.
Protesters emphasized that their support for Assange's freedom was not just about him, but also about their own freedom, particularly the freedom of the press.
"We just want to see his freedom, but we also want our freedom, our freedom to say what we think, it's in our best interest. And what is in our best interest, is the free press. So we demand the free press, we demand the right to thought, and this is why we are here today," said James, a rally participant.
The WikiLeaks founder has been imprisoned in the UK since 2019, where he is awaiting a final hearing of his appeal against the British government's decision to extradite him to the United States.
He faces charges in the US for releasing over 700,000 confidential documents on American military and diplomatic actions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in 2010.
He faces up to 175 years in jail if convicted. Former British Home Secretary Priti Patel approved Assange's extradition in June 2022, while his team is continuing to appeal.