A look at the island in Queensland where the WikiLeaks publisher, now free and returned home to Australia, grew up.
George Hirst, former editor of the Magnetic Times, speaks to CN Live! about Julian Assange’s early life on Yunbenun, aka Magnetic Island, and the island’s history. Assange was born in Townsville, Queensland just opposite the island, which is part of Townsville.
With great sorrow we learned of the loss of someone in this film, Alison Mason. Alison was a tireless supporter of freedom of information and for the release of her fellow Australian journalist, Assange. As a resident of Townsville she petitioned for a public sculpture in his honour. Alison spoke to CN Live! about Assange last year. In her lifetime, she saw him freed and returned home to Australia.
Interviewers: Joe Lauria & Cathy Vogan. Images: Cathy Vogan & George Hirst/Penelope Sheridan from Cranky Curlew Films. Extra footage courtesy of Dr. Andy Lewis and David Peart.
Speaking of Julian Assange, I just watched some footage of the US/Russia prisoner swap.
Evan Gershkovich (journalist) and Paul Whelan (security/ex-military) have both given lengthy on-camera live interviews almost immediately upon their arrival. Paul Whelan was held in a Russina prison for over five years (Julian was held in a UK prison for five years). They have been able to speak freely for themselves about their release, their plans and their incarceration. They thanked their supporters. They had a phone call with the US President when they arrived.
The parallels with Julian’s situation are extremely similar. But the glaring difference is that Julian hasn’t spoken freely for himself in his own words at all since his arrival. Not a single word. Nothing.
It makes those two posed photos (him looking up a tree, and him at a beach) seem really odd.
We can of course all speculate. But what’s missing is verifiable fact. Where is Julian and when will he be able to speak freely for himself in his own voice? Even a simple short video of him speaking a few words would be easy to make and post. Something isn’t right about this total silence.
Very interesting, thank you.
This reminded me of a time over 50yrs ago, when the world seemed so young and so full of promise… music was on everyone’s lips and magic was in the air…
Now? All that’s left of those days is a sense of doom and foreboding, and a gratitude for having lived in the best of times, the second half of the last century… most of you probably weren’t so fortunate, you have missed so much. While my light is now dimming, I hope the light of understanding and freedom shines once more for you, who need it now more than ever…
Thank for this film