The 5th of November, a UK holiday known as Guy Fawkes Night, is truly an international day of dissidence and protests known as the Million Mask March. Join millions around the world in fighting back against the horrors of government corruption, the militarization of our planet, blatant violations of our privacy, and the use of the police to enforce the will of tyrants.
If there is no protest listed near you, PLEASE consider being the protest for your community. You can email MillionMaskMarch2019@ProtonMail.com to have your protest (Personal or Public) added to the list!
Wednesday, July 3, 2019, became a day of international unification—a day where nearly 60 cities across six continents lit candles in honor of award-winning journalist, Julian Assange.
According to a Candles For Assange media release, birthday celebrations taking place in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand, on July 3rd, Julian’s 48th birthday, have initiated a global movement — #Candles4Assange.
The roots of the movement date back to July 3, 2018, on Julian’s 47th birthday, when #FreeAssangeNZ configured a candle display reading “Free Julian.” The candles were placed on NZ Parliament lawn and an image of the display captured the attention of activists and Assange supporters world-wide.
Those involved in #FreeAssangeNZ chose to hold a similar event for Julian’s 48th birthday taking place this year. However, #FreeAssangeNZ invited other cities to organize vigils and join in on the #Candles4Assange global celebration.
Day after day, the hashtag-Candles4Assange was reaching dozens of cities, and soon the movement became viral within the free speech and free Julian Assange community.
According to the release, “Free Assange NZ supports the principle of press freedom, especially for a media whose mission is ‘to hold power to account.’”
A MESSAGE TO STAND FOR, AN IDEA TO DEFEND
Julian Assange is a man of and for the people. In addition, he is the embodiment of good journalism, making those in power feel uncomfortable. Assange and the WikiLeaks’ staff, through their work, have inadvertently forced the mainstream media to re-examine how good journalism presents itself.
Candles For Assange strongly advocates for these ideals — a free press and for the protection of free speech. Millions of people around the world align with the movement. And because of that, Free Assange NZ is challenging the New Zealand media to condemn the UK and US efforts to persecute and torture Julian Assange.
We too, at Action For Assange are calling upon the American media to condemn the behavior of its government toward journalist Julian Assange.
This sentiment is stronger than those within the powerful elite would like to believe. We exist, and we are here.
A DAY OF ACTION
Candles For Assange co-founder, Alex Hills asked organizers to take photos and/or video footage of their actions on July 3rd and send them and/or link them to @Candles4Assange, @GreenweaverArch or the Facebook group, #Candles4Assange.
“Many are singing Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder on film for a compilation video of the final actions throughout the world made into a moral boosting singalong supporter video,” Hills said. “We are happy for anything no matter how big or small a gesture.”
Candles For Assange has also made extensive efforts to connect with Antarctica to ensure Julian’s day of birth is celebrated on all seven continents.
The promotional video for Candles For Assange may be found here. We strongly recommend watching this video.
We are stronger when we work together.
The fight to free Julian Assange does not attract the weak or faint of heart but rather the determined and the fearless.
And we are ready.
Happy birthday Julian – from your brothers and sisters around the world.
(Oberlin, Ohio) – A free Julian Assange activist is facing a misdemeanor charge for hanging signs on public utility poles in support of the WikiLeaks founder.
Andrew Smith, 28, of Elyria was cited on Saturday afternoon June 29 for hanging signs reading “Free Julian Assange,” “Free Speech Free Press” and others with similar messages.
As Smith was stapling a free Julian sign to a utility pole in front of a convenient store, a police officer driving by slowed down and shouted at Smith to stop what he was doing.
With staple gun in hand, the 28-year-old turns to look at the officer and then continues to staple the poster.
The officer proceeds into the convenient store parking lot and orders Smith to empty his pockets. Meanwhile, two additional police cars arrive at the scene.
After a brief exchange concerning the law, the officer orders Smith to get into the back of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, a woman accompanying Smith, Taylor Hudak, 26, of Kent was told she may leave. However, Hudak remained at the site and took photographs on her cell phone as the incident unfolded.
While Smith was in the police vehicle, he continued to speak with the officer explaining to her his political ideology and reason for posting signs. The officer responded to him saying she did not understand.
After several minutes sitting in the police vehicle, Smith was issued a citation for violating Oberlin City Ordinance 503.02 Advertising on Public Property.
Smith appeared in Oberlin Municipal Court on Friday July 5 at 8:30 a.m. and plead not guilty. He will return to court for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 18.
While an award-winning journalist spends his 48th birthday in London’s Her Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh, supporters around the world will unite in solidarity to support a truth-teller, whistleblower and activist — Julian Assange.
This collaborative initiative, #Candles4Assange, will occur in 56 cities spanning across the globe on Julian’s 48th birthday, Wednesday July 3 – with the number of cities participating increasing each day.
According to the website, #Candles4Assange is advocating for the protection of whistleblowers, the prosecution of war criminals and an end to the war on journalism.
People around the world have chosen a location and time to hold their #Candles4Assange event. Nearby supporters are encouraged to attend and light candles in honor of Julian.
In addition to bringing awareness to the important issues of our day including the consistent violations of the free press and free speech rights, this effort is a world-wide celebration of the birthday of one of the bravest men humankind has ever known.
In a world riddled in sanctions and in war, caused and perpetuated by world leaders and the powerful, what a wonder it is that citizens of a wide-range of countries can unite on a day of significance to promote a cause of which they all care so deeply.
Below is a complete list of the #Candles4Assange events to take place around the world on Wednesday July 3. Times and locations are included. If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact @Candles4Assange.
A
Adelaide, Australia – 7pm at Parliament House
https://www.facebook.com/clare.smith.123276
Asturias, Spain – (time not listed) at Oviedo Austurias
(no link available)
Auckland, New Zealand – 12 to 1pm + Eve at US Consulate
Join the event in Spoleto, Campello Square, (Italy) on July 6th at 6pm. Take a stand for Freedom of Expression, monument to Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning!
On July 3rd – Julian Assange’s birthday, light candles and flying lanterns (if safe to do so and you are able to clean them up afterwards) and share on social media with #Candles4Assange
