PLEA TO PRITI PATEL – HOME SECRETARY – ON BEHALF OF JULIAN ASSANGE

PLEA TO PRITI PATEL HOME SECRETARY, ON BEHALF OF JULIAN ASSANGE

17th May 2022

Dear Priti Patel,

 

Potentially, this could be your finest hour!

 

You are on the brink of making a monumental decision that will affect so many people and the way they live their lives and the freedoms they enjoy.

 

Both nationally and internationally the ramifications, of your decision could have potentially very serious and far-reaching consequences.

 

Journalism is under threat of oppression by the state.

The right to investigate and expose the truth is in danger of being outlawed. The right for freedom of expression, freedom to print and publish and expose the truth – without fear or favor – are all at risk.

 

Journalists cannot work in an atmosphere of fear and potential threat of being imprisoned, this is not how a democratic country operates.

 

Priti Patel, so much is at stake here, the very fabric of our society and the way it functions.  

 

Julian Assange has been held in Britain’s No1 Maximum Security Prison for over 3 years.

Tell us, Priti Patel, what are the charges the UK government has on Julian Assange????

We say none.

 

It is purely politically motivated by the US and their desire to charge Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of the US, for revealing war crimes.

 

For exposing the shameful truth.

 

When we watch the Iraq War logs, we are witnesses to cold blooded murder, openly sanctioned by the US government.

Julian Assange was acquitted of all charges relating to the Swedish Judiciary.

 

There is no crime he is guilty of under UK law.

Julian Assange has suffered unimaginable pain and anguish during his time of incarceration.

His wife, children and family have suffered equally, for no good reason.

 

We beseech you Priti Patel, to be brave, do the right thing by history and your country, and stop the extradition of Julian Assange.

We will support you; we will applaud you, and we will laud you!!!

 

Help us to feel proud again to be British!

 

Give us hope Priti Patel, make the right decision and free Julian Assange back to his family

 

History will look kindly upon you for standing up to the might of the US and for giving us back our grace and dignity.

 

Above all we must celebrate that TRUTH IS IMPORTANT.

 

If you miss this opportunity to do the right thing, then the consequences are far reaching and will not be able to be undone.

 

You will commit Julian Assange to life imprisonment away from all those that love him dearly.

 

Please Priti Patel, on all that is decent and good,

 

STOP THE EXTRADITION OF JULIAN ASSANGE

 

We will pray that you find the courage, strength and support to help

You make the right decision.

Sincerely,

Maria Gallastegui

On behalf of the Peace Strike Campaign

17th May 2022

 

Statement on Julian Assange Belmarsh Prison 12th May 2022

Statement in support of Julian Assange, who is being held as a prisoner but is not charged with any crime in the UK.

 

Julian Assange has been in Belmarsh Maximum Security Prison for over 3 years without charge. He has been accused by the US government of Espionage, but has not been charged with any crime in the UK. Despite this, he remains incarcerated while the US has sought his extradition.

Julian Assange’s so-called crime was to publish records of war crimes leaked to him from Whistleblowers who shone a spotlight on US operations and the reality of the ‘war on terror’. Most infamously, this uncovered the ‘collateral damage’ footage of US drone operators knowingly and mercilessly killing innocent civilians, children and war journalists.

The UK Government must think very carefully before making the final decision to extradite Julian Assange to the US.

Journalists, speak up for Julian Assange ( speak-up-for-julian-assange.org ) state:

” In a democracy, journalists can reveal war crimes and cases of torture and abuse without having to go to jail. It is the very role of the press in a democracy. If governments can use espionage laws against journalists and publishers, they are deprived of their most important and traditional defense – of acting in the public interest – which does not apply under the Espionage Act.”

To allow the extradition of Julian Assange directly threatens the freedom to express and print – without fear or favour – affecting journalists in their duty to investigate and expose the truth.

The extradition would send a chilling message to journalists and others gathering evidence to investigate war crimes. It threatens initiatives that seek to see justice for civilians unwillingly caught up in conflict.

The sad irony is that the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the US States is to Protect Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press.

That’s exactly what Julian Assange was doing !!

THE TRUTH DOES MATTER

 

We publicly urge Priti Patel, Home Secretary, to disallow the extradition and free Julian Assange back to his wife and family.

 

History will thank you!

Yours Sincerely,

The Hole in the Wall Gang.

Date 12th May 2022

 

Free Julian Assange, Save Press Freedom

Statement on Julian Assange.
Monday 25th October 2021

UK judiciary throw out the US extradition case against Julian Assange 

Free Julian Assange from the US ‘Holding Pen’ which is Belmarsh Maximum Security Prison.

This is the sorry sad saga of Julian Assange and the plot to extradite him to the US to face 18 charges under the Espionage Act, facing up to 175 years imprisonment.

In Sweden from 2010 preliminary investigations began into sexual abuse claims by two women, which lasted for over 9 years and resulted in NO CHARGES and was concluded in both 2017 and finally again in 2019 with ‘No crime’ has been committed.

In November 2010 the Swedish police issue an International Arrest Warrant for Julian Assange through Interpol.

In December 2010 Julian Assange presents himself to a police station in London and is taken to an extradition hearing. He is remanded in custody. At a High Court hearing he is successful in being granted bail and is free to go.

Eventually, after several further court hearings, in 2012 The UK Supreme Court rules that Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden.

By August, Julian Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for fear of being extradited to the US via Sweden. Political pressure was building up during the 7-year period and eventually, in 2019 the Metropolitan Police entered the embassy and arrested Assange.

He was taken to Westminster Magistrates Court. He was charged for breaking bail which was linked to an international arrest warrant issued by Sweden. He was not in Sweden at the time the warrant had been issued, so had not absconded.
He now had to account for breaking the bail which in normal circumstances would result in a few days imprisonment or a fine.

A 50-week prison sentence was handed down, previously unheard of for breach of bail.

After successive court appearances, the US failed in their bid to have Julian Assange extradited.

He is currently still being held in Belmarsh maximum security prison in London awaiting an Appeal extradition hearing and its conclusion.

He was not released after the 50-week sentence, as would be expected, the judge ruled there was a risk he may abscond.

US lawyers will now need to make their Appeal case in the next High Court hearing in the Strand this Wednesday 27th October and Thursday 28th October to justify their extradition claim.
The US do not legally have to produce evidence of the crimes but do have to convince the court that there are grounds for the extradition, as set out in a 2003 extradition treaty with the UK.

What were the crimes?

Julian Assange and Wikileaks published sensitive, classified documents which exposed the true horrors of the ‘ War on Terror ‘ in the Middle East making known the war crimes perpetuated by US / UK.

In 2010 Wikileaks released:

Collateral murder video
Afghan War Logs.
Iraq War Logs

The general public were now witnesses to murder of innocent civilians and children

It has been said that the Afghanistan / Iraq wars produced the existence of Wikileaks.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Inter- American Court of Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have all called for the immediate release of Julian Assange.

The UN special rapporteur on torture and ill treatment visited Assange with a medical team and found him in need of urgent medical attention.

100 doctors have signed a petition stating that Julian Assange is suffering physical and psychological effects from the severe treatment he has been subjected to in Belmarsh.

The last court hearing denied the extradition of Julian Assange on grounds of ” substantial ”risk he would kill himself if he were extradited…

It now transpires that the US government itself was planning to assassinate Julian Assange.

How can it be that we have a man in prison in this country, having served a sentence, yet still detained without charge?

How and why should the US be able to override our judicial system and have the power to keep someone in prison, which is beyond their own jurisdiction.

Britain is supposed to be a sovereign nation independent of the United States.
Why have we so foolishly signed our sovereign rights away???

If successful, the pending extradition hearing when concluded, would undermine journalism internationally and could lead the way to eroding democracy itself.

Julian Assange will die in prison – UK or US – unless we stand up now and say NO

Let us hope that justice is applied this week and Julian Assange is freed and reunited with his family.

 

Keep the Peace in the Middle East

This was a petition handed into Downing Street by Peace Strike in 2012.
Eight years on, nothing has changed.
Now, more than ever we must remain calm and do everything in our power to keep the peace in the Middle East.

NO UK BOMBING IN SYRIA #UKvote4Peace

No 10 Petition

NO UK BOMBING IN SYRIA

UK PARLIAMENT VOTE FOR PEACE

Petition to Downing Street

Petition to Downing Street

Statement on Syria issued by Peace Strike 25th Nov 2015

As concerned citizens based in the UK, we call on the UK government not to launch airstrikes in Syria, but instead to,

 

1) Exercise restraint and exhaust all avenues of diplomacy with all interested parties.

 

2) Take full responsibility and hold itself accountable for the illegality of the Iraq war and the continuance of the Afghanistan war, its colonial exploits, and its extra military actions which significantly contributed to the rise of the instability of various regions as we see today;

 

3) De-escalate from the perpetual violence, and reduce militarisation both at home and abroad, and actively pursue peaceful alternatives to military intervention;

 

4) Accept responsibility for the resettlement of all refugees created by the actions of the UK, in the so-called “War on Terror,” and resist scapegoating those who are victims in this tragic string of events;

 

5) We believe that repeating the disastrous choices made by the UK after the events of September 11th 2001 would result in further destabalisation which would have unpredictable and devastating consequences.

This cycle of violence and exploitation has to end now;

 

We condemn all killing and human-rights abuse in Syria and the region, whoever is responsible.

 

War is terror.

( Adapted from statement by Iraq Veterans Against the War )

 

UK Parliament Vote For Peace #UKvote4Peace

#UKvote4Peace

UK Houses of Parliament

WAR IS A BUSINESS

Since the Paris Attacks arms companies shares rise.

Arms dealers stocks rise sharply

http://theantimedia.org/stocks-prices-for-weapons-manufacturers-rise-sharply-after-paris-attacks/

British arms sales to the Middle East are probably fueling Isis, says

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/british-arms-sales-to-the-middle-east-are-probably-fuelling-isis-says-jeremy-corbyn-10364998.html

Human Rights Watch Calls on US to Stop Selling Bombs to Saudi Arabia

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/11/human-rights-watch-united-states-bombs-saudi-arabia

Tracking ISIS to DC’s doorsteps

http://journal-neo.org/2015/11/23/tracking-isis-to-dcs-doorsteps/

UN Authorization does not necessarily give the right for attack on Syria 

Member states urged to take “all necessary measures” but falls short of invoking Chapter VII of the UN charter which authorises military action to restore peace and security

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/12010091/UN-approves-Syria-resolution-what-does-it-mean.html

Libya, example of failed liberation, exploitation and deception.

http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/13499912.UK_government_spent_13_times_more_bombing_Libya_than_on_rebuilding_post_war/

PeaceStrike Peace Picket

Peace Picket Parliament Square

 

Peace Strike: We will not follow our country into yet another war…

Speak out now against injustice to whom ever it may effect. Do not be lead by powerful ambitious people who thrive on the insane notion that you can bomb a country and a people into democracy. Listen to what the man says, he speaks plain and true. Do not be falsely mis-lead by government spin and propaganda. UK government must not get involved in proposed air strikes in Syria.

UK government take the lead politically and call on NATO and the International community to promote peace talks to include Syria and Iran.

Film clip featuring Charlie Chaplin in the Great Dictator ( 1940 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8HdOHrc3OQ&nohtml5=False

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinkTheCoward

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinkTheCoward

 

PEACESTRIKE STATEMENT RE: AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ

 

PEACE STRIKE STATEMENT RE: UK AIR STRIKES IN IRAQ

Yesterday the British Government voted to go to war -yet again- in the Middle East. This time it will support a coalition of USA, France, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Quatar and Jordon in conducting air strikes within Iraq. The target is the Islamic State Extremists IS.

These Islamic State extremists have come together and have grown out of years of killing and destruction committed in their Homeland by the Western Coalition. The original excuse to invade in 2003 was to liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein’s cruel and corrupt regime.

This so called liberation was based on lies and deceit  that has been exposed in the media as the years have past. The west now has to take responsibility in the rise of extremism. It created all the ingredients to enable a Frankenstein Monster to grow and run loose. Having allowed it to manifest in all its misery it inevitably turns against those that oppose it with bitterness and anger. This includes opposing forces within Iraq and Syria.

http://awdnews.com/top-news/9816-former-chief-russia-spy-cia-had-trained-isis-leader.html

UK Prime Mister David Cameron said: ‘We must hit IS with everything we have.(Metro 5th September)

‘Britain must be prepared to do everything we have in our armoury to take on the Islamic State’.

Some MP’S have urged that the UK make an alliance with Assad’s Syrian Government in order for both sides to fight the mutual common enemy. It seems this objective is not being seriously considered and David Cameron stated that: ‘ President Assad has committed war crimes against his people and is therefore illegitimate. He said: ‘My view is that he is part of the problem.’

In order to legally attack Syria – which is also being considered – a UN Mandate would have to exist. Ed Miliband the UK Labour Party leader expressed this view, although he is in full support of air strikes in Iraq.

Syria is still a sovereign nation with a government that is still technically legitimate. Assad’s government was excluded from any peace talks with the UN and therefore was not allowed to take anysort of position or compromise. Even though this is a brutal regime it still should have had the right to state it’s case, after all is that not what democracy is all about?

As we now know from 2002 when we first launched missiles into Afghanistan and then in 2003 into Iraq, the initial aim was liberation and to safeguard the Middle East and World security. However, all is not quite what it seems…….

Confusion arises as the media refer to the ‘Islamic State’ (IS) also as ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS) and also ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’ ( ISIL)  Arabic opposition refer to it as Daesh. President Obama has used all these terms. IS is know as a terror group within Iraq and Syria and originated or split from Al-Qaeda and other factions. Many rebels within Syria have now joined IS as it will have the attraction of being powerful, assertive and effective. Many UK volunteers have been drawn to the ideology of helping the Freedom Rebels in their fight for liberation within their country. They then may have been unwittingly subjected to the all powering influence of IS which has taken control in many areas. Some will have been absorbed either by admiration or fear. There is nothing nice about war and in itself it creates extreme action either in battle or in extreme graphic messages of hate as depicted in the ‘beheading videos’

During the Spanish Civil War many young people from the UK volunteered to fight for the Spanish Republic and took up arms for idealistic views in the form of the ‘International Brigade’

UK have had a stake in flooding the region with supplying arms to Gulf States such as Arab Emirates and Quatar. Political power and corporate greed fuel an endless supply of arms to all sides. It is in the interest of business that war is ‘manufactured’ in order to keep the order books full and generate astronomic profit.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/blood-money-uks-123bn-arms-sales-to-repressive-states-8711794.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/05/arms-control-syria_n_3864687.html

The Iranian nation is ‘oil rich’ and has the 4th largest supply in the world. Iran supports Syria, however it is now fighting IS in Iraq. Iran has been drawn into the conflict by the extreme IS even though previously Iran was viewed as an extreme threat and was labeled an ‘axis of evil’ by the US Bush Administration.

Iran is a member of the IAEA and has signed up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and is accountable. Israel on the other hand is not a member of the IAEA even though they do process nuclear weapons. They are supported by the US and are accountable to no one.

PROPARGANDA

Propaganda is misleading information deliberately manufactured in order to undermine public opinion and build fear in people’s minds. It is very effective and it works.

We must not believe everything we read, keep an open mind.

During WW1 there existed the highly secret War Propaganda Bureau (WPG)

This was run by Military Intelligence MI7b and used eminent writers of the day to produce thousands of articles that were published in newspapers and magazines. It instilled great fear in peoples minds concerning the German people. The fear grew to such a pitch that they would willingly agree to any action that would ‘get rid ‘ of the problem. It goes without saying that propaganda is used by all sides to justify their actions. People become scared and confused as matters are made more complex as events develop. Once they ‘loose the plot’ of the story they become resigned to the ever increasing pitch of those in power who proclaim to know better.

The very same propaganda exists today.

Beware of what you read and keep an open mind.

Now that Iran has been drawn from it’s border into Iraq in order to take on IS forces – other factors could come into play –  whereby they too could at some point be seen as part of the problem.

Remember to take on Iran you will need to neutralize Syria.

Air strike is sanctioned war which could potentially last for years to come.

Obama said ‘ This is going to be a long term project’

UK GOVERNMENT

We call upon the UK Government to genuinely speak out for peace instead of always banging the drums of war. If nothing real is forthcoming then the people themselves must force the change.

We are tired of war.

PEACE STRIKE

The people call the strike themselves.

Once the door to air strikes with Iraq is opened, the door will also open to air strikes in Syria.

The writing is on the wall.

Wake up UK, wake up Concerned citizens.

The time is coming when mass peaceful civil disobedience is the only way we can get our governments to take notice and act on our concerns. If the opportunity to save life is made available to us then we have a duty to act.

PEACE STRIKE ‘ON STRIKE FOR PEACE’

www.peacestrike.org