File:Free Assange and the 99% (53217854185).jpg

On Saturday 23 September 2023, Julian Assange supporters gathered initially outside the high security Belmarsh Prison in South East London, where Assange has been held for the last four years, before cycling to the Royal Courts of Justice in central London where a second protest rally was held.

The circumstances of his detention were described in 2019 as amounting to mental torture by Nils Melzer, the UN Rapporteur on Torture, who pointed out that Assange was being 'detained under oppressive conditions of isolation and surveillance, not justified by his detention status,' and that his life was at risk. Melzer also commented that Assange showed 'all the symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture.'

<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2019/11/un-expert-torture-sounds-alarm-again-julian-assanges-lifemay-be-risk" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2019/11/un-expert-torture...</a>

About 40 cyclists as well as a number of other activists without cycles gathered outside Belmarsh Prison for the start of a mass cycle ride protest from the prison via the Cutty Sark and the Tower of London to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand in central London.

Once they reached the Royal Courts of Justice, they joined others already waiting on the pavement outside for a second rally and listened to the UK's former ambassador to Uzbekistan and now prominent human rights activist, Craig Murray, give a speech in which he declared that protests would continue until Assange was free. Activists held up banners calling for his freedom, hung up yellow ribbons for him and distributed leaflets to, as well as talking with, passers by.

<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/julian-assange-london-friends-belmarsh-prison-royal-courts-of-justice-b2417291.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/julian-assange-london-frien...</a>

They were demonstrating against the continued imprisonment of Julian Assange and the US extradition proceedings, for revealing the truth about US, UK and other Western war crimes, the mass surveillance of their populations and other crimes.

Meanwhile, the war crimes themselves go largely ignored and the political leaders responsible for them are not only immunized against prosecution, but several are growing wealthy on the basis of their contacts with their overseas accomplices across the Middle East and elsewhere.

There are currently protests in London most weeks in solidarity with Assange outside Belmarsh prison usually around lunchtime on Saturdays, at Piccadilly Circus usually on Saturdays between 4 pm and 6 pm and at Australia House usually on Wednesdays between 3 and 5 pm.

There are many good reasons why Assange should be released, but arguably the three most important are as follows -

Freedom of Speech: Assange's case raises important concerns about freedom of the press and whistleblowers' rights, which are crucial for a transparent society.

Health Concerns: Julian Assange's physical and mental health deteriorated in prison. Releasing him could provide access to better medical care and reduce the risk of serious health issues.

Human Rights: His prolonged detention without trial or conviction goes against fundamental human rights principles.