Watch now (44 mins) | Stella Assange and Chris Hedges examine the terrible personal cost to Julian Assange and his family of his prolonged imprisonment, his tawdry show trials and what it means for the freedom of the press and democracy. Videographer / Video editor: Niels Ladefoged
So emotionally powerful. Wiping the tears from my eyes. I don’t know where she finds the strength and I don’t think I would survive if I were Julian. What an evil society both in and outside of prison. Makes me ashamed of being a human.
Video faded twice, last fade at 34 mins 10. There is definitely something going on. Not surprised it's a brilliant conversation, and what a picture of American prisons. Lee Child's Jack Reacher books have it right. Yet no-one helps Julian, disgusted with Australia, major fury reserved for our rotten UK government Dr Jo East Anglia.
I too am wiping tears from my eyes, like the commentator whose comment I read just beneath mine. I really feel for Stella, and have long been outraged and disgusted about the treatment of Julian, who is a true hero and unfortunately a martyr. I am an American expat and have my own experience of prisons in Italy. My then boyfriend and now longtime husband was arrested in 1987, accused of being "associated with" the Red Brigades. But basically, he was a political prisoner, as he had never committed any sort of offence. He was spirited off to a high security prison in Rome, kept in isolation, terrible conditions, then moved to other facilities. I did not see him for 7 weeks. Finally, he was moved to another prison. It was a 12 hour trip for me to visit him, and always a very humiliating experience when I got there, I was searched and treated like a criminal myself by the guards. And there was always plexiglass between us. He finally had a trial, and was sentenced to 18 months (again, solely charges of a political nature, no violence or other illegal activity involved), but spent twice that time in prison and under house arrest. After the sentencing, he was immediately drafted into the Italian army ... that's how big a threat they considered him! My husband's family was able to afford a top lawyer in Rome to handle his case. But Chris's students are primarily from poor backgrounds and have no such luxury. My utmost admiration both for Chris and Stella, and I hope justice will finally come for Julian.
Thank you so much for this incredibly powerful, important, human, and loving conversation. My heart is with you Stella, Julian, Chris and all those fighting on the side of truth, divinity, justice and righteousness. Your battle is immense and Julian’s heroism is profound.
Although his persecution is wholly unjust; it not unseen by all. Praying for your family and especially your children.
May we all be as courageous and sacrificial, may we all be as honest and humble, may we all bring beauty and love to dark hopeless places, like you.
Exceptionally moving. I am prone to despair these days, but your extraordinary perseverence in the face of what can only accurately be described as evil invigorates me.
It’s heartbreaking. I shared a tear at the end too.
I was thinking during the discussion of the international response when I was a child over Nelson Mandela. In the news frequently, the papers, concerts, demonstrations etc. We can’t even muster a wet fart in the main body of our culture for Julian Assange. Such a shameful episode in our collective experience.
I believe that if the Australian government wasn't so desirous of getting American nuclear submarines, it would do the right thing and force the Brits to extradite their citizen to his home. These
" tough " Aussies are pandering to the terrorist US. My dad fought alongside them in WW2 and marveled at their bravery. Where are they now?
Everything about Julian’s imprisonment reeks of political chicanery and illegality. He’s being extradited for espionage crimes against the US, yet he is not a US citizen and is therefore not subject to our laws. The British are subjecting him to imprisonment pending extradition proceedings because they are a pawn of the US empire. The Australians are not forcefully demanding the release of their citizen, because they are also a pawn of the US empire. This is classic American “might makes right” jurisprudence. I pray not for justice, but for revenge against those responsible for this heinous assault against democracy.
There were no new 1st amendment grounds or considerations covered in this interview; just a ktichen table rehash of old points. But a tax deduction for a trip across the pond is not insignificant. I made no judgement as to its its viability or legality. Hedges is as welcome to it just as much as the next business entity. However, there has to be a pretense for it...and these interviews seem to fit the bill for that purpose more than anything else in this episode. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I owe Hedges nothing more than $6/month to express my own on his forum. So, if the shoe fits; wear it.
How can we help support the educational program you and your colleagues run for people in prison? Could you please provide the information here or on the main page of your Substack? Thank you 🙏
I have no issue with two friends sitting around a kitchen table commiserating (or even strategizing) over the political ordeal of Juilian Assange and the tyranny of the American Justice System (beyond the huge carbon footprint and cost--if that was the sole purpose of his flight over the Atlantic to do so). However, one has to wonder if the chronicling of this monologue will also be chronicled and written off as a business expense as well.
Very moving. Thank you both. ❤️🙏
So emotionally powerful. Wiping the tears from my eyes. I don’t know where she finds the strength and I don’t think I would survive if I were Julian. What an evil society both in and outside of prison. Makes me ashamed of being a human.
So a human and touchable conversation. I couldn't avoid the tears in my eyes at the end.
I dropped everything this morning to watch both parts in one binge session. I was deeply moved. I shared to Facebook and will relay to friends.
Video faded twice, last fade at 34 mins 10. There is definitely something going on. Not surprised it's a brilliant conversation, and what a picture of American prisons. Lee Child's Jack Reacher books have it right. Yet no-one helps Julian, disgusted with Australia, major fury reserved for our rotten UK government Dr Jo East Anglia.
I too am wiping tears from my eyes, like the commentator whose comment I read just beneath mine. I really feel for Stella, and have long been outraged and disgusted about the treatment of Julian, who is a true hero and unfortunately a martyr. I am an American expat and have my own experience of prisons in Italy. My then boyfriend and now longtime husband was arrested in 1987, accused of being "associated with" the Red Brigades. But basically, he was a political prisoner, as he had never committed any sort of offence. He was spirited off to a high security prison in Rome, kept in isolation, terrible conditions, then moved to other facilities. I did not see him for 7 weeks. Finally, he was moved to another prison. It was a 12 hour trip for me to visit him, and always a very humiliating experience when I got there, I was searched and treated like a criminal myself by the guards. And there was always plexiglass between us. He finally had a trial, and was sentenced to 18 months (again, solely charges of a political nature, no violence or other illegal activity involved), but spent twice that time in prison and under house arrest. After the sentencing, he was immediately drafted into the Italian army ... that's how big a threat they considered him! My husband's family was able to afford a top lawyer in Rome to handle his case. But Chris's students are primarily from poor backgrounds and have no such luxury. My utmost admiration both for Chris and Stella, and I hope justice will finally come for Julian.
Thank you so much for this incredibly powerful, important, human, and loving conversation. My heart is with you Stella, Julian, Chris and all those fighting on the side of truth, divinity, justice and righteousness. Your battle is immense and Julian’s heroism is profound.
Although his persecution is wholly unjust; it not unseen by all. Praying for your family and especially your children.
May we all be as courageous and sacrificial, may we all be as honest and humble, may we all bring beauty and love to dark hopeless places, like you.
With gratitude and deep respect
Exceptionally moving. I am prone to despair these days, but your extraordinary perseverence in the face of what can only accurately be described as evil invigorates me.
It’s heartbreaking. I shared a tear at the end too.
I was thinking during the discussion of the international response when I was a child over Nelson Mandela. In the news frequently, the papers, concerts, demonstrations etc. We can’t even muster a wet fart in the main body of our culture for Julian Assange. Such a shameful episode in our collective experience.
Thank you Chris and the Assange family.
I believe that if the Australian government wasn't so desirous of getting American nuclear submarines, it would do the right thing and force the Brits to extradite their citizen to his home. These
" tough " Aussies are pandering to the terrorist US. My dad fought alongside them in WW2 and marveled at their bravery. Where are they now?
Everything about Julian’s imprisonment reeks of political chicanery and illegality. He’s being extradited for espionage crimes against the US, yet he is not a US citizen and is therefore not subject to our laws. The British are subjecting him to imprisonment pending extradition proceedings because they are a pawn of the US empire. The Australians are not forcefully demanding the release of their citizen, because they are also a pawn of the US empire. This is classic American “might makes right” jurisprudence. I pray not for justice, but for revenge against those responsible for this heinous assault against democracy.
There were no new 1st amendment grounds or considerations covered in this interview; just a ktichen table rehash of old points. But a tax deduction for a trip across the pond is not insignificant. I made no judgement as to its its viability or legality. Hedges is as welcome to it just as much as the next business entity. However, there has to be a pretense for it...and these interviews seem to fit the bill for that purpose more than anything else in this episode. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I owe Hedges nothing more than $6/month to express my own on his forum. So, if the shoe fits; wear it.
Dostoyevski called the cutthroats and murderers with whom he was in prison in Siberia the "hardiest timber" in all of Russia.
Mr. Hedges,
How can we help support the educational program you and your colleagues run for people in prison? Could you please provide the information here or on the main page of your Substack? Thank you 🙏
I have no issue with two friends sitting around a kitchen table commiserating (or even strategizing) over the political ordeal of Juilian Assange and the tyranny of the American Justice System (beyond the huge carbon footprint and cost--if that was the sole purpose of his flight over the Atlantic to do so). However, one has to wonder if the chronicling of this monologue will also be chronicled and written off as a business expense as well.