Julian Assange rape apology LETS SMASH THE PATRIARCHY

[PrincessBuggerPants]

Wanna do some Guerilla feminism to start off the New Year? I'm getting as many people as I can to sign up for tickets (as many as you dare from different email addresses) to this Pro-Assange rape apology fest, and then not go, so they are just addressing an empty room. Definition of peaceful protest, non?

www.eventbrite.com/e/press-freedom-and-the-case-of-julian-assange-tickets-89223874009

He hasn't faced trial on any other issue because he hasn't been extradited to the US.

And may not be.

The issue of freedom of speech is much too important to be linked to some irresponsible self aggrandising cowboy who many who also campaign for freedom of speech dont support because of his irresponsible behaviour.

In the mean time he is facing the consequences of his cowardly decision to avoid being questioned in relation to allegations of rape. As a result of not facing up to (and possibly sucessfully defending himself) the rape allegations he has now put himself through years of self imposed imprisonment, lost his friends money who stood bail for him, and is serving a very minimal sentence for trying to evade the law.

And of course, as usual the real victims, the women he abused, are just not recognised as having any rights.

Yes campaign on freedom of speech but dont try and link it to a seriously flawed and totally inappropriate figure head.

I don't see the link with Assange, but a discussion about freedom of speech with several serious people seems a healthy thing.

I don't see anything indicating it's going to be excusing his behaviour, if it was I'd agree with you OP, but as it is I perhaps agree with PP's suggestion to go and listen.

Thanks for the responses.

1. Those of you who think it would be more constructive to come along either holding placards outside or attending and asking pertinent questions please feel free. I think it would be a helpful act of solidarity of survivors.

1. Those of you who don't feel comfortable doing that for the very many valid reasons that exist (!) I hope you will carry out the plan as outlined above and pass the idea on to your friends, even if you don't wish to join in the discussion here.

1. Please lets not pretend that the organisers of this (Stop the War/Stand Up To Racism) are remotely interested in protecting freedom of speech, women or discussion. If you know, you know.

Stop the War? I always thought it was an SWP organisation but claims to be a coalition. Some interesting names here www.stopwar.org.uk/index.php/about/stop-the-war-patrons-officers-steering-cttee

Well if George Galloway is on the steering committee it isn't really a surprise that women's rights dont register of being anything to be considered.

A more effective protest would be organising another talk nearby, one that presents the opposing argument. Publicise widely and get your own argument into all the media coverage. Film your event and tag it into comments on their YouTube uploads.

We need more speech and more listening, not people speaking in empty rooms.

I hope you will carry out the plan as outlined above

I have zero intention of carrying out the plan above. Freedom of speech is facing an existential threat in the 21st century. If you think deliberately disrupting meetings about freedom of the press is the priority? So be it.

I've just realised that my habit of posting late at night means not all the cogs of my brain are working.

I have now remembered through talking about this with others that linking Julian Assange with freedom of speech / press is a false analogy.

His case, if there is one, is about freedom of information. ie where is the cut off point for government in terms of openess and transparency, and the need/right(?) to not make some information public. ie some cabinet papers are kept secret for 30 years (I think that's right!).

Freedom of the press is a vacuous meaningless arguement as we all now the press daily carries out censorship ie they are a partisan mouth piece for powerful groups with vested interests.

Freedom of speech is as we know another false illusion, ie freedom is only to given to those with or in power.

ie would any of these people trying to make out assange is some sort of martyr stand up for women's right to talk openly and freely about their common experience as a sex class when if fact they are censored and intimidated.

Assange should face up to accepting that what he thinks are his principles are a breach of existing laws. Chelsea Manning had the courage of convictions to not only carry out the actually act of taking information that the US Government felt was restricted but has not run away from the US Government prosecuting this as a crime.

So he is not only a male scumbag running away from the consequences of sexual assault but he is also a coward who isn't prepared to pay the price of taking a stand for freedom of information.

Peace activists and environmentalists etc., regularly challenge laws to make the political point they want publicised. And some of them pay the price by being prosecuted.

So these so called supporters of free speech should actually be holding a meeting about where the boundary is between all information being free and what should be restricted.

I have no expectation of such a group of self important worthies ever speaking up for women's right to free expression.

All too often really important issues get hijacked to be a vehicle to promote the egos of so called celebrities.