In Hollywood, A Billboard In Support Of WikiLeaks

toggle caption epicstep.com

In the middle of Hollywood, a striking political billboard has been erected. An internet campaign collected enough money to put up a billboard in support of WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange. The billboard contains a picture of Assange, in a thoughtful, finger-to-temple pose, next to text that reads: "WikiLeaks: Giving us the truth when everyone else refuses to."

The campaign to put up the billboard was started by Nick Johnson at a website called Epic Step. The website lets activists collect money to put up billboards about issues they want to educate the public about.

Johnson's campaign has collected $4,576 from 200 supporters since March 9.

"I want the world to know that I support WikiLeaks," Johnson says in a video he posted to explain the campaign. "[Assange] has literally put his life on the line to give people what they want: the truth."

Assange has become a polarizing figure. Last December, reports The Guardian, organizers planned worldwide protests in defense of the controversial and enigmatic WikiLeaks founder. Some, like former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, have called for him to be "hunted down," while others like filmmaker Michael Moore, have posted $200,000 in bail for him and said we should "be thankful" for Assange.

Johnson and Epic Step have now started collecting money for a billboard in Chicago. Since March 16, they've collected $1,598.