Watch Julian Assange reveal the secret world of the U.S. elections [Video]

Whistleblower and WikiLeaks founder and editor, Julian Assange, has just given one of his most fascinating interviews with John Pilger, a fellow Australian émigré, at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Photo: Screen capture from YouTube video

The interview summarizes what has come to light from the tens of thousands of Clinton emails released in batches by WikiLeaks on their website this year.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to the U.S. on "espionage" charges. In October, his internet was cut off, due to his "interference" in the U.S. presidential election. For a while, people believed he might be dead, but Assange is very much alive.

You can watch the full interview below and can access the full transcript on RT's website here.

Yoko Ono Lennon awards Julian Assange with "Courage Award for the Arts 2013"

On Sunday in New York City, Yoko Ono Lennon presented the Courage Award for the Arts 2013 to Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, who accepted the award in absentia. 

 Daniel Ellsberg, Michael Ratner, Yoko Ono Lennon, Baltasar Garzón and Ricardo Patiño at the
2013 Courage Awards for the Arts presentation to Julian Assange.

The award was created by Ono to recognize artists who have demonstrated independent thought and have resisted commercial and political pressure in their work.

In presenting the apt award to Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, in absentia, at a ceremony at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, Ono said: "Our public officials have forgotten that they are ultimately accountable to the people who put them in office; that the information they keep in secrecy belongs to all of us. Julian Assange took a courageous step by rightfully returning what belongs to the public domain. For that reason, I believe we need to stand behind him."

Due to being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, waiting for the UK to grant him safe passage out of the country, Assange was unable to attend. However, Assange's lawyers, Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights and Honorable Judge Baltasar Garzón Real, represented him at the ceremony.

Ratner delivered Assange's speech, which can be read at the end of this article, dedicating this award to the staff of WikiLeaks. The speech references both Bradley Manning and Aaron Swartz, who recently committed suicide rather than face the possibility of 30 years in prison for downloading academic articles.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño was also present and stated, “Julian gives us all an example: the powerful cannot hide information to dominate states and destroy democracies.” 

Daniel Ellsberg, a champion for Bradley Manning, also attended the award ceremony, saying, “Julian Assange richly deserves this award. I hope that this award will give the Nobel Committee the courage to award Bradley Manning and Julian Assange the Nobel Peace Prize.” 

  
Julian Assange's speech made in absentia: 

First of all, I want to thank Yoko Ono Lennon for her courage and spirit in granting me this award. A fine woman whose many actions define her. The test for all of us.

People often ask me how I keep going.

They ask as if my work was some kind of burden to me.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

There is no greater pleasure than fighting for your principles.

There is no greater pleasure than in fighting for those who have risked all to share your vision.

And there is no greater pleasure than seeing those who you admire, in turn, move to fight for you.

And while the embassy that shelters me is still surrounded by armed police, my voice is free.

Within the constraints of the UK surveillance operation outside, I am free to see my staff and my friends.

Many have fought and continue to fight to permit this basic liberty and I am grateful to them.

I want to thank the Ecuadorean people.

I want to thank President Rafael Correa and Foreign Minister Patiño for their courageous and unyielding support.

Their stance strengthens not just my rights but the rights of political refugees everywhere. Support them.

I dedicate this award to our courageous sources, supporters and to my staff.

Through their courage and wit they are revealing the true nature of our global human civilisation. This is how we may reform it. Elevate it - and make it just, beyond its humble origins.

Their courage in documenting war crimes, gross human rights violations, and the corruption of our societies is unequaled.

I want to thank all our anonymous volunteers and all those volunteers from Anonymous. You are unseen in your work but your work is far from unseen.

But I want to specifically name some.

Volunteer Aaron Swartz, aged 26. Political activist, hounded to death right here in New York last month as part of the broader political crackdown against our ideals.

Alleged source, now political prisoner, Bradley Manning. Bradley is now two weeks away from 1000 days in prison. The longest pre-trial detention in US military history.

Alleged source, now political prisoner, Jeremy Hammond, detained without trial, right here in New York, for the last 336 days as of today.

Volunteer and alleged source, now political prisoner, Gottfrid Svartholm, detained in Sweden for almost five months.

WikiLeaks banking blockade protesters Christopher Weatherhead, aged 22, and Ashley Rhodes, aged 28. Sentenced in the UK last week to 18 months and 7 months in prison respectively.

And I want to thank my lawyers Baltasar Garzón and Michael Ratner who are representing me here today, as they do every day.

They together with our other lawyers in the US, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Ecuador are part of the fight to make sure that our rights are respected and WikiLeaks can continue its mission.

With such courage, tenacity, love, and support from our friends, silencing WikiLeaks remains and will continue to remain a fantasy.

We will continue our fight to document the world, understand its institutions, and hold our civilization to a higher standard.

Julian Assange
Ecuadorean Embassy
London
3rd February 2013

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To the source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/342803
 
Other recent Julian Assange News:  
Julian Assange will run for Australian Senate in 2013  
Assange: WikiLeaks film 'The Fifth Estate' a ‘propaganda attack’

Assange's full Christmas address from Ecuadorian embassy, London

WikiLeaks founder and editor, Julian Assange, gave a Christmas address to his supporters on Thursday evening from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. 

Marking the six month anniversary of his stay in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where Assange first sought, and later received diplomatic asylum from Ecuador, a crowd was out in the street waiting for his speech. 

His first words were, "Good evening, London, what a sight for sore eyes," as he viewed the crowd gathered in front of the embassy. He thanked his supporters worldwide for their help and for the support of WikiLeaks and its aims and referred to other journalists and whistleblowers who are currently in a much worse situation that he, including Nabeel Rajab, Bradley Manning, Jeremy Hammond and Godfried Svartholm. 

The full transcript can be read here.

Assange to run for seat in Australian Senate, WikiLeaks party

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has said that he intends to run for a seat in the Australian Senate in the 2013 federal election, and plans to form a WikiLeaks party. Another interview speaks of his health and the financial blockade of WikiLeaks.

Assange made the announcement from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he has been holed up for six months to avoid extradition to Sweden and possibly the US. 

Assange told Fairfax Media that his plans to register the WikiLeaks political party were “significantly advanced” and added that “a number of very worthy people admired by the Australian public” have expressed their availability to run for election on the party ticket.. read more and listen to interviews.

Assange: 'Entire nations intercepted in total web surveillance'

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. 

 

He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them... read more and watch interview.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2Dho2g000

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2DhoDFFHq

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2Dho2g000

Julian Assange interviewed on CNN's 'OutFront with Erin Burnett' and Health Problems

Julian Assange was interviewed by Erin Burnett on CNN on Thursday. 

His new book, "Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet" was discussed, along with the case of Bradley Manning and an argument ensued about Internet privacy... Read more and watch interview.

Assange 'suffering chronic lung condition - Ecuador ambassador

Ecuador's ambassador to London, Ana Alban, says that while WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange is not yet seriously ill, his condition could worsen, holed up in such a small space during a long London winter... Read more.

Assange 'suffering chronic lung condition' — Ecuador ambassador

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/337974#ixzz2DeeAUj8x

Julian Assange describes Obama as 'wolf in sheep's clothing'

Speaking from his room in London's Ecuadorian embassy, WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, says he sees no reason to celebrate the reelection of US President Barack Obama.

Talking to AFP from his room, 41-year-old Assange said, “Obama seems to be a nice man, and that is precisely the problem.” 

“It's better to have a sheep in wolf's clothing than a wolf in sheep's clothing,” he said. “All of the activities against WikiLeaks by the United States have occurred under an Obama administration.”

He further said that he expected the US government to continue attacking WikiLeaks.

Assange also criticized the Republican party, saying it “has not been an effective restraining force on government excesses over the last four years.” Adding that, "There is no reason to believe that will change – in fact, the Republicans will push the administration into ever greater excesses." 

Referring to Bradley Manning, who was a young intelligence analyst with the US Army in Baghdad, Assange urged the US government to free the whistleblower. 

Manning has been held in solitary confinement in a military prison for over two years, after being accused of leaking a large cache of classified military documents, plus the "collateral murder" video showing the slaughter of both civilians and journalists, to WikiLeaks.

Assange said, "The re-election of Barack Obama coincides with the 899th day of Manning's confinement."

Asked about the diplomatic problems being experienced between the UK government and Ecuador, Assange said that there had been "no formal progress" in recent weeks, but said WikiLeaks' strategy on ending the stalemate was "moving from defense to offense".

When asked what that means, he said: "It will become clear in the coming months."

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since June, when he applied for, and eventually received, political asylum in Ecuador. He wished to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning on alleged sexual charges, which he denies. He fears that should he set foot in Sweden, he would then be sent on to the US to face espionage charges for the sensitive diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks which have both embarrassed and enraged the US Government.

Assange apparently sounded hoarse during the interview, but refused to comment on his health. Ecuador last month requested a meeting with UK officials to discuss claims that Assange is losing weight and suffering vision problems. Video of the WikiLeaks founder addressing the UN General Assembly in September, showed him as looking pale and rather gaunt.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336424#ixzz2Bdbg3atw

Designer Vivienne Westwood supports Julian Assange with a t-shirt

To show solidarity with Julian Assange, renowned UK clothing designer, Vivienne Westwood, has launched a line of t-shirts with the slogan "I'm Julian Assange." 

All profits from the sale of the t-shirts will go to WikiLeaks, which Westwood praises as "a brilliant organization to combat misinformation and concealment." 

Westwood states in her blog that by buying and wearing the unisex t-shirt, you can show your support for a "real hero," and the shirts will be sold via the designer's official website for £40. She said, “WikiLeaks has had 90 per cent of all donations blocked by Visa, MasterCard, Western Union, PayPal, Amazon and Bank of America, so all profits from the sale of this t-shirt will go directly to them."  

She continued by adding that Assange is working in the interests of the public “to expose the facts concealed and misinformation published by the authorities for their own protection.” 

Westwood was spotted visiting Assange wearing the new t-shirt, as pictured above. The t-shirt has the 71-year-old’s image emblazoned on the front with the tag line “I am Julian Assange.”  

WikiLeaks has been suffering a financial blockade since 2010, after releasing documents that embarrassed and angered the US and also upset Australian PM Julia Gillard. 

Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has been holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since June, where he sought, and was granted asylum by Ecuador, to avoid extradition to Sweden. Although political asylum has been granted to him, he is unable to leave the embassy as the UK will not grant him safe passage. 

The UK government insists that they are obligated to deliver Assange to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual assault. However, Assange denies the charges and fears that should he be sent to Sweden, he would then be passed on to the US on espionage charges for the leaking of thousands of diplomatic cables through his website. 

Ecuador has attempted to set up an interview between Assange and Swedish authorities in their Stockholm embassy, but without success so far.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336103#ixzz2B9lvg8lz

Ecuador 'gravely concerned' about health of Assange

Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy since June, has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, but the UK will not grant him safe passage to leave the country. Now his health is suffering.

After losing his appeal against extradition to Sweden for questioning on alleged sex-related charges, Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seeking political asylum in that country. It was feared that should he be extradited to Sweden for questioning, he would then be sent on to the US on charges of espionage, over the release of sensitive diplomatic cables which have both angered and embarrassed the US government. 

Despite the fact that Ecuador granted asylum to Assange in August, the UK will not grant him safe passage to travel out of the country. UK officials would arrest Assange should he step outside the door. 

The Ecuadorian embassy in London is about the size of an apartment, and Assange has a small room to himself. His health is now suffering, possibly from confinement in such a small space. 

A senior Ecuadorian diplomat says that Assange's health is deteriorating, and that he should be given safe passage out of the country's London embassy should it decline further. Vice Foreign Minister, Marco Albuja Martinez told RT in an exclusive interview, “We have officially asked the UK for safe passage. But we are concerned that while UK authorities mull over the decision, Julian Assange’s health may break down completely.”  

News.com.au reports Martinez as saying, “Assange has grown noticeably thinner and we are very concerned about his health,” Martinez said. “If he falls ill we will have to choose between two alternatives – to treat Assange at the embassy or hospitalize him.” 

The news service also reports that Ecuador has requested a document from the UK Government, guaranteeing his safe passage to hospital and back to the embassy without arrest; but that no reply has yet been received. 

“We will not put pressure on them and will patiently await an answer,” Martinez said. 

However, a statement from the UK Foreign office reads, "Ecuador have not told us that Mr Assange is ill. However, were they to do so, we would consider the matter."  

While Martinez did not specify the medical problems involved, he did note that Assange had lost weight and said that denying him proper facilities for treatment would be “an issue of human rights.” 

Recent photos of Assange show that the 41-year-old is looking pale and gaunt, as with the image above of his recent speech to the UN General Assembly, and he has complained of a "racking cough." He does, however, exercise daily with a personal trainer, who is an ex-Special Forces soldier and fellow-whistleblower.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335474

Book release: ‘Cypherpunks: Freedom & the Future of the Internet'

Earlier this year, Julian Assange interviewed three "Cypherpunks" on "The World Tomorrow", his controversial talk show. Now, in cooperation with his three co-authors, he is publishing a book. 

The 192-page book, written together with Jacob Appelbaum, Andy Müller-Maguhn and Jérémie Zimmermann, is based on the transcripts of the talk show, but also incorporates many ideas that remained behind the scenes.

The book covers what Cypherpunks believe to be the solution to the problems of privacy and freedom, especially on the Internet.

Assange told the New York Times, “In March 2012 I gathered together three of today’s leading cypherpunks to discuss the resistance,” referring to the 8th episode of The World Tomorrow talk show aired by RT. “Two of them, besides myself, have been targeted by law enforcement agencies as a result of their work to safeguard privacy and to keep governments accountable. Their words, and their stories, need to be heard.”

While discussing the problems of online communication, privacy and freedom on the Internet, the three Cypherpunks shared their stories of a movement which originated from the Cypherpunks’ Electronic Mailing List, set up by activists. The aim of the mailing list was to improve Internet privacy and security through the proactive use of cryptography. This movement has been active since the late 1980's, and WikiLeaks is one of many projects that have emanated from Cypherpunks.

OR Books

Details of the three co-authors are as follows: 

Andy Müller-Maguhn, a member of the German hacker association Chaos Computer Club.

Jérémie Zimmermann, a co-founder of the Paris-based group La Quadrature du Net, which advocates the free circulation of knowledge in the Internet. 

Jacob Appelbaum, a US independent computer security researcher and activist currently involved in the Tor Project designing an online anonymity system. 

The book will be published by OR Books and is scheduled for release on November 26 in both paperback and e-book format.
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Below are the uncut versions of both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Cypherpunks interview...

Read more and watch the Cypherpunk interviews: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334490