Resolution In U.S. Congress Calls For End To Assange Case As Extradition Nears

A paltry number of representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress have shown interest in the Justice Department’s unprecedented prosecution of Assange. Fewer have raised their voice to oppose the political case against him.

By Kevin Gosztola, The Dissenter

A resolution in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on December 13.

Cosponsored by eight representatives, it states that “regular journalistic activities are protected under the First Amendment,” and the U.S. government should “drop all charges against and attempts to extradite Julian Assange.”

The resolution [PDF] introduced by six Republican and two Democratic representatives marks the second time that representatives have used the legislature to try and mobilize support for Assange and freedom of the press. (One was previously sponsored in 2020 by Republican Representatives Thomas Massie and Justin Amash and Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard.)

For over four and a half years, Assange has been jailed at His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh. The facility is a high-security prison typically reserved for individuals accused or convicted of violent offenses.