MEDIA RELEASE

Support WikiLeaks rally called

Supporters of the website Wikileaks will mobilise on Friday (10/12/10) to protest against the backlash it has faced for its release of more than 250,000 US government cables.

The protest will hear from independent journalist Antony Loewenstein, award-winning author of My Israel Question. Pirate Party spokesperson Simon Frew will also speak. Other speakers will be announced soon.

The rally date coincides with International Human Rights Day. Rally organisers say the Australian government has failed to uphold the human rights of Wikileaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange.

“The Australian government should be ashamed for its attacks on Wikileaks, which has been charged with no crime”, spokesperson Simon Butler said.

“Australia should not join the campaign to censor Wikileaks. Wikileaks has released evidence of government lies and duplicity — information that, as citizens, we have a right to know.

“We want the Gillard government to make sure Julian Assange has the same basic rights as every other Australian citizen. Threats have been made against Assange’s life, the Australian government has a duty to protect him, not threaten him.”

Butler said community support for Wikileaks was very high. “We expect a good turnout to the rally. There is a great deal of anger at what’s happening. The bid to silence Wikileaks threatens the rights of everyone.”

The rally will take place at Sydney Town Hall @ 1pm, Friday December 10.

Rally information: [contact details redacted on request]

Media contact: Simon Butler 0421 231 011

(via @antloewenstein)

Update: Our editor, Wolf, will speak at the rally on behalf of WL Central. Please join us at this event in support of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. Show the world that we will not be silenced.

The Facebook group for the rally is available at:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161656067211736&index=1

Spread the word, and meet us there!