While Melbourne and the News Media were obsessing over the traffic stopping dance party of Extinction Rebellion a die-hard group of Free-Assange protesters managed to quietly shut down the UK consulate for a few hours last Friday .Their numbers were small, but I guess their cause is “only” about the potential extinction of one “privileged white male and suspected rapist” (yes, that is sarcasm).

Sadly, the UK government continues to hold Julian in solitary confinement, despite the fact that he has now served his one year sentence for skipping bail , which was in itself draconian. Julian is allegedly in poor health and is not considered a flight risk at this stage. He has virtually no access to computers, is allowed very few phone calls, is not allowed to receive phone calls  from people other than his lawyers and is allowed 3 visitors a month. There was a letter writing campaign, but most of the letters sent to him by his supporters are not delivered to him anymore but sent back instead, therefore making him unaware of the extent of his supporters.

The aim is to isolate him, break him physically, mentally and spiritually, which  amounts to unlawful torture.

Meanwhile, Chelsea Manning who had been pardoned by Barack Obama is now back in jail, refusing to testify against Assange.

Here is hoping that the numbers of his supporters will grow further  to put pressure on the Australian and UK governments and that he will soon be a free man.