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Assange to US: End the Witch Hunt

WikiLeaks founder makes first public appearance in months

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2012 8:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Julian Assange popped his head out of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London today, making his first public appearance in two months and calling on President Obama and the United States to "do the right thing" and "renounce its witch hunt against WikiLeaks." Speaking from the balcony of the embassy, Assange thanked his supporters, "the courageous South American nation" of Ecuador, and said that he had taken "a stand for justice," reports Sky News. The comments are his first since Ecuador granted him asylum on Thursday, notes the AP.

Julian Assange talks with legal adviser Balthasar Garcon in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. Assange made his first public appearance in months today.
Julian Assange talks with legal adviser Balthasar Garcon in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. Assange made his first public appearance in months today.   (AP Photo / Sean Dempsey, PA)
Julian Assange talks with legal adviser Balthasar Garcon inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Sunday Aug. 19, 2012.
Julian Assange talks with legal adviser Balthasar Garcon inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Sunday Aug. 19, 2012.   (AP Photo / Sean Dempsey, PA)
A pro-Julian Assange placard is seen outside the Embassy of Ecuador, in central London, Saturday August 18, 2012.
A pro-Julian Assange placard is seen outside the Embassy of Ecuador, in central London, Saturday August 18, 2012.   (AP Photo / Dominic Lipinski/PA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
bahari@bellsouth.net
Aug 19, 2012 1:45 PM CDT
I do not believe that Assage has really read up on Ecuador. It just might become a problem for someone like him who wishes to speak out against corruption, etc. He would be stepping on the toes of their government.
Plato
Aug 19, 2012 12:40 PM CDT
Yes every country needs and does have classified information.  Julian Assange broke the law when he acquired and made public information that had been "classified".   With that said I also say that our government's current policy on what to "classify" and sequester by law from public scrutiny is not in the best interest of our country.  Our government simply just classifies everything.  There should be a rhyme or reason as to what information is make forever secret.  We the people have a right to know at least generally what the hell our taxpayers paid for government is doing.  You may not believe this, but there are people in positions of authority in our government that do not deserve your trust.
JoeQ
Aug 19, 2012 12:35 PM CDT
The whole video of the speech is here: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/video-of-assanges-speech-at-the-ecuadorean-embassy-in-london/ He mentions freeing Bradley Manning - like that's gonna happen.  He also mentions Pussy Riot, but not by name - a little bit of self-censorship there.

 
asylum • Ecuador • WikiLeaks • Julian Assange • Julian Assange extradition

 
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