WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces the threat of extradition to the United States, after being seized by a police snatch squad from the Ecuadorean embassy in London on April 11.
His arrest was a criminal act by the Conservative government in preparation for a still greater crime. Once in the US, Assange faces the threat of indefinite detention or charges that carry the death penalty.
Chelsea Manning, who courageously provided WikiLeaks with evidence of US war crimes in 2010, had been imprisoned for more than two months for refusing to testify against Assange when she was released Thursday. Manning could be imprisoned again as she faces a subpoena to appear before a new grand jury next week.
Their persecution, involving a conspiracy between the UK and the US, is a fundamental assault on the democratic rights and freedom of speech of all workers and youth. Its aim is to silence anyone who dares speak out against imperialist wars of conquest, war crimes against the oppressed peoples of the world and mass surveillance and other repressive measures used to impose savage austerity against the working class.
The Socialist Equality Party is demanding the withdrawal of all charges against Julian Assange, a guarantee against extradition to the US and safe passage to his home country, Australia, and that the Trump administration frees Chelsea Manning immediately and unconditionally.
The Socialist Equality Party urges the largest possible attendance at this Sunday’s public meeting in London.
Public meeting details
Free Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning!
Sunday, May 12
(Doors open 1:30 p.m. Start time 2 p.m.)
YMCA Indian Student Hostel
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
41 Fitzroy Square
London, W1T 6AQ
Speakers:
Chris Marsden—Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary
Emmy Butlin—Julian Assange Defence Committee
Ulrich Rippert—chairman of the Socialist Equality Party (Germany)
Oscar Grenfell—Socialist Equality Party (Australia)
Alice Summers—International Youth and Students for Social Equality (UK)
Niles Niemuth—Socialist Equality Party (US)