Trumpist Republicans like Marjorie Greene and left-wing Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez have formed a joint coalition to secure Assange’s release.
Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents the hyper-progressive wing of the Democrats, has forged an alliance with Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, the ultra-Trumpist. They are demanding an amnesty and the release of Julian Assange.
Big move
The unlikely duo is supported by 14 other US members of Congress. In an open letter to President Joe Biden, they demand that the US President immediately halt the US extradition and prosecution plans against Assange.
The letter also warns of the potential damage to bilateral relations between the US and Australia if the US continues its prosecution of
The open letter to Biden goes on to say that “it is the duty of journalists to seek out sources, including documentary evidence, to report to the public on the government’s activities“. The group also warns that such frivolous prosecutions could potentially criminalize standard journalistic practices, stifling the work of the press in general. The joint plea calls for this case to be concluded as soon as possible.
Among those who signed the letter to Biden are: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich. ), Eric Burlison (R-Mo. ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Paul Gosar (R-Az.), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Matthew Rosendale (R-Mont.), and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Assange is still being held in Belmarsh Prison in London, where he is resisting extradition efforts by the USA, which wants to charge him under the Espionage Act, among other things. This is a reaction to the publication of hundreds of thousands of confidential documents in connection with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Assange’s wife is pleased about the move and the joint front of Democrats and Republicans on Twitter:
Indeed, US observers rate a “major step” towards Assange’s release.
There is not much time left either. Assange’s supporters believe that his case has reached a critical point. His legal options to prevent extradition from the UK are likely to expire soon.
“The clock is really ticking now,” said Assange’s brother Gabriel Shipton, who helped organize the signatures on a recent trip to Washington.
Image “Julian Assange Wikileaks named Man of the Year by Le Monde” by Abode of Chaos is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
This article was first published in German on the science and politics blog tkp.at