2012-05-15 WikiLeaks News Update: "The World Tomorrow" Episode 5; Noam Chomsky on WikiLeaks; Other news
WikiLeaks has been financially blockaded without process for 528 days.
Julian Assange has been detained without charge for 525 days.
Bradley Manning has been imprisoned without trial for 722 days.
A secret Grand Jury has been active in the U.S. without transparency for 608 days.
WikiLeaks News:
- Noam Chomsky was on Democracy Now! discussing WikiLeaks, targeted assassinations by the Obama administration, and Latin America's break from the U.S. Chomsky said "WikiLeaks is a service to the population" and that Julian Assange should get the presidential medal of honor. Watch the interview below or view the transcript.
- WikiLeaks cables show that an individual claiming to be an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bomber went to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo to request asylum.
- Professor Ferrada de Noli has written an analysis of WikiLeaks cables regarding Swedish honor killings and the mass deportation of refugees.
- Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola spoke at the People's Summit in Chicago, discussing what WikiLeaks cables revealed about the war in Afghanistan. Watch the panel below.
- A blog on the WikiLeaks grand jury has written a two-part profile on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and his actions against WikiLeaks. (Part 1, Part 2)
- A musical album with songs inspired by the Occupy movement has been released. Some of the lyrics mention WikiLeaks, such as, "While the City sleeps, I'm reading WikiLeaks; Creating picket signs. Go ahead, pick a street!"
- The University of Adelaide is holding a lecture entitled "Don't Shoot the Messenger" on May 21 at 5PM. The lecture will be presented by law Associate Professor and online media expert Dr Melissa de Zwart who will discuss the efforts to shut down WikiLeaks and silence Julian Assange.
- A photo collection of the "WikiLeaks Fleet," vehicles displaying vinyl WikiLeaks support decals, has been uploaded to Flickr.
- Birgitta Jónsdóttir gave an interview where she discussed her first time seeing the "Collateral Murder" video and the case against Bradley Manning.
Julian Assange News:
- Episode 5 of "The World Tomorrow" aired, featuring former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg and human rights campaigner Asim Qureshi. Begg discussed the treatment he endured at Guantanamo and the false confession he signed. Much of the conversation also focused on the future of Islam and Sharia law. The episode is available online in English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. Full, unedited transcript of the entire interview is also available.
Bradley Manning News:
- Denver Nicks gave an interview with TIME magazine to discuss his new book about Bradley Manning, "Private." He talks about why he decided to write the book and whether he thinks Bradley is a hero or traitor.
- The Bradley Manning Support Network issued a news update for May 14 which covers support events in Wales and Pasadena, and the Army's overreaction by charging Bradley with "aiding the enemy."
Upcoming Dates & Events:
May 21: "Don't Shoot the Messenger" panel at University of Adelaide, 5PM.
May 23: Julian Assange to speak on the impact of increasing transparency at EIM 2012 in The Netherlands, 4:35PM.
May 26: Bradley Manning will have been imprisoned for two years without trial.
May 27: "Incident in New Baghdad" to air on The Documentary Channel, 8PM.
June 6-8: Bradley Manning motion hearings.
July 16-20: Bradley Manning motion hearings.
August 27-31: Bradley Manning motion hearings.
September 19-20: Bradley Manning motion hearings.
September 21-October 12: Bradley Manning's court martial.