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I was a legal observer at the #Assange hearings on behalf of @SocialistLawyer.
Here is a
capturing my feelings & impressions.
(I speak as an individual- my formal report will follow in a few weeks)
#WeAreAllAssange
1/
Here is a
capturing my feelings & impressions. (I speak as an individual- my formal report will follow in a few weeks)
#WeAreAllAssange
1/
The daily experience was upsetting & sad.
For me there was physical tiredness from queueing (every day for 3 weeks in Sep) in the wee hours in the
Julian has a chronic lung condition; he’s depressed & has osteoporosis made worse by lack of sunlight.
He’s been MADE ill
2/
For me there was physical tiredness from queueing (every day for 3 weeks in Sep) in the wee hours in the
Julian has a chronic lung condition; he’s depressed & has osteoporosis made worse by lack of sunlight.
He’s been MADE ill
2/
Being driven over from Belmarsh in the early hours in a manky SERCO van after being strip searched and X-rayed was yet another brutality inflicted on him.
They seemed to use process at every point to grind him down & remind him that they didn’t find him worthy of humanity.
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They seemed to use process at every point to grind him down & remind him that they didn’t find him worthy of humanity.
3/
Also exhausting was the constant dehumanising treatment of anyone who dared to attend or might support #Assange.
Police intimidation & arbitrary behaviour by those in power was largely the norm. My professional privilege usually shields me from this. Not here!
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Police intimidation & arbitrary behaviour by those in power was largely the norm. My professional privilege usually shields me from this. Not here!
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It will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the criminal justice system that the vast majority of defendants are poor & working class & largely from minority ethnic groups. The system is confusing & broken & it seems intentionally so, such that it frustrates justice
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5/
Watching Julian struggle to say his name + seeing him treated so appallingly & deprived of his agency & voice in court was also very sad & disempowering.
I went home every day to a loving family & a heated home
Julian (& other prisoners) had no such respite.
6/
I went home every day to a loving family & a heated home
Julian (& other prisoners) had no such respite.
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Throughout the trial I had an overwhelming sadness watching as his elderly relatives & careworn partner & friends & supporters, were ruthlessly denied basic fair access.
Julian is fortunate to have them all. They’re not giving up & their resistance is inspiring. It really is
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Julian is fortunate to have them all. They’re not giving up & their resistance is inspiring. It really is
7/
What I found very upsetting (when I should know better) was the arrogance & complete lack of humanity at the CPS, from the American & British authorities, from the prosecution’s medical experts & from the judge.
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There is also much to be thankful about. So many eyes opened, so many courageous, resourceful, kind, generous people. But that’s a thread in itself.
Until then solidarity from London to all the good folk fighting to #FreeAssange
Until then solidarity from London to all the good folk fighting to #FreeAssange
