| “Now Julian is free, we have all come to Rome to express our family’s gratitude for the Pope’s support during Julian’s persecution. Our children and I had the honour of meeting Pope Francis in June 2023 to discuss how to free Julian from Belmarsh prison. Francis wrote to Julian in prison and even proposed to grant him asylum at the Vatican,” Stella Assange, Julian’s wife, said. |
| As World Press Freedom Day approaches on May 3, we honour the steadfast allies, like Pope Francis, who stood by Julian through years of unimaginable hardship. Yet, our hearts ache as Julian, though reunited with his beloved Stella and their children Gabriel and Max, remains shackled by the absence of a pardon. Without it, he is not truly free to work, to provide for his family, or to rebuild the life stolen from him. We will continue our campaign to secure a Pardon from President Trump. |
Looking ahead to May, the Assange Campaign will be taking bold new steps to defend and advance the rights that Julian and his case represent—freedom of communication and access to information. We greatly look forward to sharing more with you soon.
In solidarity,
Gabriel Shipton
Gabriel Shipton is an Australian film maker and the son of John Shipton and the half-brother of Julian Assange. He and his father were strong advocates for Julian’s release.
Shortly before the general election in Australia on 3 May which saw the return of the Labour party led by Anthony Albanese (Albo) Julian spoke to Gabriel an extract of which is below:
“….The truth is, in what became an impressive field of advocates, Albo did more to secure my freedom than any other politician or public figure-even more than the late Pope, whose support was both moving and significant. Even while in opposition, Albo listened to the Australian public (and my family) and promised to take action. But talk from opposition is easy. What did he actually do when he became Prime Minister?
Six previous prime ministers came and went during my long detention. Not one agreed to meet with my lawyers. In a crowded line up, Scott Morrison cut a particularly craven figure-publicly supporting my extradition to the US. After leaving office, Morrison joined US weapons contractor DYNE Maritime along with his mate, former CIA chief Mike Pompeo, who had openly boasted in his memoirs about orchestrating my detention. DYNE was set up to profit from the billions funneled into AUKUS, a program Morrison himself initiated.
So, what about Albo? Against all expectations for an Australian politician, once elected, he kept his word. He personally and repeatedly raised my case with president Biden, and empowered Kevin Rudd in Washington and Stephen Smith in London to walk into meetings and say, ‘The Australian Prime Minister and the Australian people want him free.’
Albo hasn’t just stood up to the US to end the political imprisonment of an Australian-he’s also intervened for other Australians detained in difficult circumstances, including in China. This government has proven itself unusually capable of rescuing Australians caught up in sensitive political situations…..”
Pic Julian Assange Campaign Australia