08/08/12

WikiLeaks has been financially blockaded without process for 614 days.
Julian Assange has been detained without charge for 611 days. 
 - 51 days at the Ecuadorian Embassy.

Bradley Manning has been in jail without trial for 808 days.  
A secret Grand Jury on WikiLeaks has been active for 694 days.

WikiLeaks News:

• WikiLeaks has been battling an ongoing DDoS attack since August 3rd. Yesterday, the attack spread to WikiLeaks-endorsed websites, as well as FDNN, which allows credit card donations to WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks speculated the timing of the attack may be because of the Olympics, an upcoming release, ongoing releases, or a cable about the assasination attempt of a Chinese leader's son, which recently was reported on in the media.
• The Boston Phoenix analysed what WikiLeaks cables reveal about U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney, including his meeting with South Korea's Foreign Minister where he discussed the possible censorship of "So Far From the Bamboo Grove".
• NTDTV China's Forbidden News reported on a WikiLeaks cable which disclosed the prevalence of political violence and assassinations within the officialdom of the Chinese Communist Party. They also analysed the future of Xi Jinping's "Zhejiang Model", using information from WikiLeaks cables.
• An article at Tethered Swimming: Political Blog discusses how WikiLeaks is "the Red Menace of the 21st Century".
• Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola appeared on RT America to discuss MSM hypocrisy over leaks.
• Whistleblowers Thomas Drake and Jesselyn Raddack appeared on The Daily Show to discuss the problems they faced when wanting to blow the whistle.

Julian Assange News:

• In a case in the late 1980s, the European Commission ruled that Swedish prosecutors do not meet the convention's requirements for being entrusted with judicial power. This contrasts the UK Supreme Court ruling in Julian Assange's case, where they determined a Swedish prosecutor is a judicial authority.
• WikiLeaks applied for Julian Assange's INTERPOL file over a year ago, which they, in violation of policy, have not released. INTERPOL also refuses to confirm or deny the existence of the Red Notice against Mr Assange. This comes as a Red Notice is issued for Sea Shepard leader Paul Watson, who was recently rumored to have found shelter in Ecuador.

 Bradley Manning News:

• Daniel Ellsberg's petition calling for the freedom of Bradley Manning has reached 12,000 signatures. The Bradley Manning Support Network is asking people to sign the petition and share it with others.
• Roseanne Barr, presidential candidate of the Peace and Freedom Party, called upon the U.S. Government to drop all charges against Bradley Manning.
• A rally for Bradley Manning will be held at Oscar Grant Plaza in Oakland, California, August 16 at 5PM.