Unf*cking Flashback: The Assange Problem. Time is Running Out to Salvage Press Freedom.

Jun 26, 2023

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[An update from Max, 6/26/23] Hey Unf*ckers. This episode updates the Assange piece we released a while back. It’s possible that by the time you hear this, there will have been movement on his case. If not, it seems likely that his extradition to the United States is imminent. So I’ve updated the episode with some new thoughts and generally cleaned up the text; it’s very similar, almost a re-release of the original, just tighter and more focused. Either way, it’s a good refresher considering how much the Espionage Act is in the news these days. But mostly it’s a necessary reminder of what’s at stake.

The Espionage Act is having quite the moment in the sun these days. Former President Donald Trump was charged under the act for knowingly absconding with and hiding classified documents said to contain sensitive nuclear capability secrets and theoretical attack plans. Daniel Ellsberg, famed whistleblower behind the release of the Pentagon Papers, passed away this week; perhaps the most high profile modern target of the Espionage Act until, of course, Trump. Amidst all of this newfound attention being paid to an arcane World War I era law designed to squash any objection to the war effort, there’s Julian Assange. He is the ultimate litmus test for America. A test to see just how committed we are to maintaining even a shred of a democratic facade.

Resources

RSF: UK: Julian Assange dangerously close to extradition following High Court rejection of appeal

Book Love

Glenn Greenwald: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State

Tariq Ali + Margaret Kunstler: In Defense of Julian Assange

Pod Love

Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill: Joe Biden's War Powers

Media Roots Radio with Abby & Robbie Martin: Assange Trial: Torture, Trumped Up Charges & A Warning to Us All w/ Kevin Gosztola

News Beat: Chelsea Manning: Collateral Murder Cover-Up

News Beat: Espionage Act & The Battle For The Free Press

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