Newsletter August 2024 - Julian Update and Plea Agreement Insights
Posted: 12th August 2024
Reply-To: [email protected]
He is settling into life in the bush with Stella, his wife and Gabriel and Max, their two children…
It’s been more than a month since Julian was released and reunited with his family in Australia.
He is settling into life in the bush with Stella, his wife and Gabriel and Max, their two children. Enjoying simple pleasures like fresh food and coffee.
In July, Gabriel Shipton, Julian’s brother visited Julian and his family. For the first time ever they got to stand on the shore and watch their children play together on the beach.
While Julian rediscovers his freedom and starts to recover, we wanted to highlight the conditions placed upon him in his plea agreement. These include that he can’t appeal his conviction, he can’t make freedom of information requests to receive US records pertaining to the investigation, extradition, and/or prosecution of him, and he can’t make a claim for damages or to recover costs from his litigation expenses.
Because Julian has had his freedom of information rights waived in the US, Stella urged other journalists to use their right to do so to uncover details about his case.
To save his life after sacrificing 14 years in arbitrary detention, Julian was ultimately compelled to admit guilt under the US Espionage Act for practicing standard journalistic activity, encouraging a source to provide information and publishing it.
His conviction has set a dangerous precedent. Anyone who reveals abuses of governments is now not only at risk of US overreach, but also overreach by other governments who may use this precedent to justify their actions.
The US should have never brought these charges against Julian and a presidential pardon should be issued to protect press freedom.
Since his release, there’s been a growing interest in the case and its repercussions for free speech and a free press. With the Australian Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group closing early in July after successfully achieving what they set out to do. This week, Gabriel will travel to Canberra where he’s been invited to meet with parliamentarians to discuss next steps to reverse the harm caused by Julian’s conviction.
KEEP STANDING WITH JULIAN TO PROTECT PRESS FREEDOM
1. SEND A WELCOME MESSAGE TO JULIAN
If you haven’t already, let Julian know how many of you are thinking about him by sharing a quick message welcoming him home. For so long, the prison would screen Julian’s letters, but now your messages can reach him. Show Julian the fight for justice and truth has unwavering support!
2. VISIBLY ADVOCATE FOR A FREE PRESS
Check out our new limited edition t-shirts featuring the Archibald finalist portrait of Julian by Australian contemporary artist, Shaun Gladwell. The unique collaboration celebrates Julian’s release and showcases Australian art. All proceeds will go to supporting our campaign.
3. READ OUR IMPACT REPORT
Launched in February 2023, the Meet Your MP for Assange program grew support from the Australian public and activists alike. By June 2024, when Julian was released, the program had attracted more than 3139 signups and held 82 meetings. Read about your important impact on 31% of Federal Parliament.
4. DONATE
The persecution, imprisonment and conviction of Julian has created a new precedent to criminalise journalistic activities globally. Can you back our campaign to urge the US President to pardon Julian and uphold press freedom?
5. ATTEND UPCOMING EVENTS
You can find upcoming events on the Assange Freedom Network site, which is a community initiative created for and by grassroots supporters of Julian Assange.