Assault on Assange and First Amendment, as 17 New Charges Filed Under Antiquated Espionage Act

A total of 17 new charges have been files against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, in addition to the existing count of "conspiracy to commit computer instruction."

_Source

The counts are all for violating different section of the Espionage Act related to "Conspiracy to Receive National Defense Information", "Obtaining National Defense Information" and "Disclosure of National Defense Information".

_Source

Twitter is ablaze with furry at the bogus charges. From Edward Snowden to Glenn Greenwald, they are letting their voices be heard about this injustice carried out through the mockery of justice.

Edward Snowden

The Department of Justice just declared war––not on Wikileaks, but on journalism itself. This is no longer about Julian Assange: This case will decide the future of media.

_Source

---

Glenn Greenwald

All those who spent the last 2+ years proclaiming to be so very concerned about attacks on a free press will now have to decide whether they really meant it, or whether - due to feelings about Assange - they will cheer the Trump Administration's frontal assault on press freedom:

_Source

---

Kristinn Hrafnsson

I find no satisfaction in saying ‘I told you so’ to those who for 9 years have scorned us for warning this moment would come. I care for journalism. If you share my feeling you take a stand NOW. Either you are a worthless coward or you defend Assange, WikiLeaks and Journalism.

_Source

---

Trevor Timm

Put simply, these unprecedented charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are the most significant and terrifying threat to the First Amendment in the 21st century.

_Source

---

ACLU

BREAKING: For the first time in the history of our country, the government has brought criminal charges under the Espionage Act against a publisher for the publication of truthful information. This is a direct assault on the First Amendment.

These charges are an extraordinary escalation of the Trump administration's attacks on journalism, establishing a dangerous precedent that can be used to target all news organizations that hold the government accountable by publishing its secrets.

The charges against Assange are equally dangerous for US journalists who uncover the secrets of other nations. If the US can prosecute a foreign publisher for violating our secrecy laws, there’s nothing preventing China, or Russia, from doing the same.

It's a dark day indeed. Only the real journalists seem to have a clue about what's going on, or have the empathy to relate to the plight of Julian Assange. They rest seem like empty vessels who are filled with puppet strings and deadness, and an inability to think in alignment with truth regarding this matter.

I wonder how many will awaken due to having their "souls" shaken at this news. They are probably too far gone into the the mindless programming of statism to escape it at this point.

---

Thank you for your time and attention. Peace.

---

_{If you appreciate and value the content, please consider: Upvoting, Sharing or Reblogging below.
me for more content to come!}

---

Like what I do? Then consider giving me a vote on the Witness page :) Thanks!

_{My goal is to share knowledge, truth and moral understanding in order to help change the world for the better. If you appreciate and value what I do, please consider supporting me as a Steem Witness by voting for me at the bottom of the Witness page.}

---

Posted from KURE