Assange Supporters, Yellow Vests Block Traffic to Extradition Hearing in London

Photo by Patrick Henningsen @21WIRE

LONDON – Earlier today, 21WIRE’s Patrick Henningsen reported ‘hundreds of Assange supporters blocking traffic’ to the Westminster Magistrates Court in London where Julian Assange’s first U.S. extradition hearing was held:

#HappeningNow LIVE outside #JulianAssange hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, hundreds of #ProtectJulian supporters blocking traffic on main road, tailback all the way to Kings Cross… pic.twitter.com/vdNSyI24c9

— Patrick Henningsen (@21WIRE) May 2, 2019

Photo by Patrick Henningsen @21WIRE

The Wikileaks founder appeared in a closed court hearing, not accessible to the general public, via video link, and told the judge he would not surrender himself for extradition to the U.S.:

Assange told the court: “I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many awards and protected many people.”https://t.co/LYamcvbwmC

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) May 2, 2019

Shortly after the hearing concluded Henningsen told Press TV, “This issue is the red line. The governments of the US, UK and Ecuador have colluded to cross that red line. Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning are on trial on behalf of us.“

Patrick Henningsen @21WIRE: ‘This issue is the red line. The governments of the #US, #UK and #Ecuador have colluded to cross that red line. #JulianAssange and #ChelseaManning are on trial on behalf of us.’ @PressTV @falasteen47 @Unity4J @DefendAssange #ProtectJulian pic.twitter.com/edCRfvTewK

— Patrick Henningsen (@21WIRE) May 2, 2019

Today’s hearing is just the beginning of what is likely to be a long and protracted legal battle, and one that WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said was “a question of life and death” for Assange.

Photo by Patrick Henningsen @21WIRE

And in a heart warming development captured exclusively by 21WIRE outside the British court, a group of Yellow Vests from France turned up in support of Julian Assange:

Heart warming to see many #GiletsJaunes #YellowVests coming from France to support #FreePress and #JulianAssange at extradition hearing today in London. @stranahan @wikileaks @georgegalloway pic.twitter.com/8jn1Kq32ND

— Patrick Henningsen (@21WIRE) May 2, 2019

Early, unconfirmed reports suggest the next court hearing in Assange’s extradition case will likely occur later this month or in early June.

READ MORE JULIAN ASSANGE NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Assange Files

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