Skip to content or view screen version

Catholic Workers mark "Feast of Innocents" at police siege of WikiLeaks founder

LCW | 03.01.2013 10:45

VID (1 min) LONDON - Catholic Workers mark "Feast of Innocents" at police siege of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOJYKk_ZPU8

For radical Christians, the Christmas narrative can only be understood in the context of the "Feast of Innocents" that follows on Dec. 28th. The feast day exposes imperial power and its collaboraters, in this case King Herod, striking back when sensing the imperial arrangement threatened. The children slain by Herod are echoed today by those killed in U.S. and British drone strikes, the thousands who have died in the recent invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan and those threatened by the continual preparations for nuclear and interventionary war.

There are also stories of heroic nonviolent resistance contained within the narrative. The Maji break Herod's injunction and refuse to return to him with targeting intel for his search and destroy mission against the Christ child. Today that resistance is echoed in the lives of Bradley Manning imprisoned in the U.S. facing military court martial and Julian Assange presently encircled by British police in the Ecuadoran embassy in downtown London. Bradley and Julian are being pursued by modern day Herods who would rather we were kept in the dark in relation to the nature of their murderous deeds
 http://collateralmurder.com/

Over this long decade of war, London Catholic Workers  http://londoncatholicworker.org/ have annually marked the Feast of Innocents by taking nonviolent resistance to Northwood HQ. This year they decided to stand in solidarity with Julian Assange.

A daily solidarity (2pm-5pm) vigil continues outside the Ecuadoran embassy, Hans Cres.
Take the Harrods exit from Knightsbridge tube station

Tues Jan 8th. 2pm Gather at the U.S. embassy in solidarity with Bradley Manning as he fronts court for a pre-trial hearing at Ft. Meade, USA
 http://tinyurl.com/atlrfdx

In the U.S. Catholic Workers were among those arrested on the "Feast of the Holy Innocents" at Davis Monthan AFB, the Pentagon and Offutt AFB.
Full reports here ..........
 http://tinyurl.com/afx9qmh

Catholic Worker Brian Terrell is presently serving 6 months imprisonment for opposition to drone warfare
 http://tinyurl.com/a4mbo57

LCW
- Homepage: http://londoncatholicworker.org/

Comments

Hide 4 hidden comments or hide all comments

Defending Assange = Rape apologist

03.01.2013 15:19

"Julian Assange presently encircled by British police in the Ecuadoran embassy in downtown London"

Because he refuses to answer the allegations of rape and sexual assault he is accused of commiting. This isn't some big consipracy to exradite him to the US because the laws of this country make it quite easy for the government to exradited people from the UK to the US.

These are serious allegations and by defending Assange you are defending rape and violence towards women

Assange has a case to answer


Mind the trolls

03.01.2013 15:32

" Assange has a case to answer " states: " he refuses to answer the allegations of rape and sexual assault he is accused of commiting. "

which would be bullshit.

"The Swedish authorities have rejected an offer to interview WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the embassy in London where he is seeking political asylum. ...

...Sources at the embassy told Press Association that an approach was made to the authorities in Sweden last Wednesday, offering them the chance to interview Assange about the allegations, but it had been turned down, without any reason being given."
 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/01/sweden-julian-assange-ecuador-embassy_n_1728911.html

" Assange has a case to answer " states: "This isn't some big consipracy to exradite him to the US because the laws of this country make it quite easy for the government to exradited people from the UK to the US."

So, why despite calls from Amnesty, won't Sweden give the assurance that they won't extradite Assange?
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19749931

" Assange has a case to answer " states: "by defending Assange you are defending rape and violence towards women"

Yup cos he's been charged and found guilty, right?

peering under the bridge


Before rushing off to join a state sponsored lynch mob, check out this vid.....

03.01.2013 16:29

YOUTUBE (10 mins) Assange Swedish Police Fit Up animation

 https://www.youtube.com/embed/PZ0UgJRPhxw

@


somewhere in between the two views

03.01.2013 16:34

has the swedish state behaved in a very out of the ordinary way? yes. Is this likely due to the political and celebrtiy status of assange? yes.
Does this automatically mean that the charges against him are false? No... infact his own defence lawyers have told events in such a way that assange would be guilty of rape under UK law. I don't think anyone should be defending assange as a person, even tho i would defend wikileaks itself to the hilt.

Ether


re: Ether

03.01.2013 16:59

"infact his own defence lawyers have told events in such a way that assange would be guilty of rape under UK law."

Do you have a transcript.? Or a link which quotes them directly.

eg: "his lawyers argued:..... The offences Mr Assange faces - unlawful coercion and sexual molestation - are not criminal acts under British law;"
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12379018

Because I think (as the above link suggests) that the argument was that the allegations would NOT amount to rape under UK law. Most defence lawyers would take care not to make an admission of guilt on their client's behalf - in the trial itself, or any other related hearing!

peering under the bridge


I assume 'peering under the bridge' is also another.....

03.01.2013 17:05

apologist for the child raping Catholic Church ie the Catholic pedophile society?

Barry Cade


Justice Barry Cade presiding

03.01.2013 17:14

I'd take my chances in the bourgeois courts rather than your type of 'social justice' any day Mr. Cade.

I guess you're the kind of reactive banana they aim these propaganda exercises at.

peering under the bridge


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

why bother

03.01.2013 21:40

> " Assange has a case to answer " states: " he refuses to answer the allegations of rape and sexual assault he is accused of commiting. "

>>> which would be bullshit.
Pure heresay. You have zero evidence it is bullshit and that would never stand up in court. Plus you are neither qualified or authorised to make any decisions regarding the case.


>>> ...Sources at the embassy told Press Association that an approach was made to the authorities in Sweden last Wednesday, offering them the chance to interview Assange about the allegations, but it had been turned down, without any reason being given."

The reason being that if they put all their cards on the table and Assange saw a solid case against him, his lawyers would advise him to never leave the embassy. The police would be irresponsible to conduct an interview without the power of being able to arrest him on the outcome of the interview.


>>> So, why despite calls from Amnesty, won't Sweden give the assurance that they won't extradite Assange?
Why should they? There is zero reason they have to give this assurance.



>> Yup cos he's been charged and found guilty, right?
No, you are deliberately trying to obstruct an investigation into rape, which makes you a supporter of rapists.


>>> I assume 'peering under the bridge' is also another.....
apologist for the child raping Catholic Church ie the Catholic pedophile society?

Some people might find that version offensive.


>> I'd take my chances in the bourgeois courts rather than your type of 'social justice' any day Mr. Cade.

No one put Mr. Cade in charge of handing out justice. He is a nobody with a big mouth. Words come out, but they are unimportant and can be safely ignored as he neither has the authority or the power to do anything.

the people


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Question to 'the people' You like authority and power do you? Is it..

03.01.2013 22:12

the only way you can do or achieve something? Allows you to rape women and abuse kids?

You sad muppet!

Barry Cade


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

why bother indeed?

03.01.2013 22:48

'the people' wrote: "Pure heresay. You have zero evidence it is bullshit and that would never stand up in court. Plus you are neither qualified or authorised to make any decisions regarding the case. "

And you are qualified or authorised? It seems to be fact that Sweden could have interviewed Assange by now.

In Februrary 2011 Assanges lawyer's stated: "The application for a warrant is "disproportionate" as he is willing to co-operate and be interviewed by phone, e-mail or videolink"
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12379018

That would be be before the Ecuadorian authorities offered to allow Sweden to interview Assange in the London Embassy. He could also have been interviewed whilst in Wandsworth. Had the interview taken place and charges been laid then his lawyers would not have been able to argue that: "The Swedes are guilty of an "abuse of process" as they have not demonstrated any intention to charge or prosecute Mr Assange" (bbc link above)

'the people wrote' : "The reason being that if they put all their cards on the table and Assange saw a solid case against him, his lawyers would advise him to never leave the embassy. The police would be irresponsible to conduct an interview without the power of being able to arrest him on the outcome of the interview. "

Are you a cop? If there is a rock-solid case then why haven't charges been laid already? What indications are there that he does plan to leave the Embassy?

Your answer doesn't really clarify anything.

'the people' wrote: "Why should they? There is zero reason they have to give this assurance. "

Well, you apparently have more authority than Amnesty on the matter:
_____________________________________________________
"In a statement, Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty's senior director for research, said: "If the Swedish authorities are able to confirm publicly that Assange will not eventually find himself on a plane to the USA if he submits himself to the authority of the Swedish courts then this will hopefully achieve two things.

"First, it will break the current impasse and second it will mean the women who have levelled accusations of sexual assault are not denied justice.

"It is vital that states show they are serious about dealing with allegations of sexual violence and that they respect both the rights of the women who made the complaints and the person accused."
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19749931
________________________________________________________

If all Sweden is interested in is the pursuit of justice on behalf of the alleged victims - then it should interview him as soon as possible - and shouldn't allow the possibility of extradition to the USA to get in the way of that, surely? Anyway - despite your claim of zero reason - Nicola Duckworth offers two.

'the people' wrote: "No, you are deliberately trying to obstruct an investigation into rape, which makes you a supporter of rapists."

I don't believe that the man is guilty until due process has taken place. Which clearly hasn't happened yet. Your brand of 'social justice' Appears to be just as putrid as Mr Cades.

Can you make it clear how am I deliberately trying to obstruct the investigation? I'm not connected to Assange, the Ecuadorian Embassy or Sweden. And then perhaps you can clarify how thinking a man is entitled to a trial before being found guilty makes me a "supporter of rapists."

'the people' wrote: "No one put Mr. Cade in charge of handing out justice. He is a nobody with a big mouth. Words come out, but they are unimportant and can be safely ignored as he neither has the authority or the power to do anything."

You give us no clues as to how you have the 'authority or the power to do anything' - so I guess you too can be safely ignored.

In the meantime I maintain that The Swedish authorities should interview Assange as quickly as possible - if that is what they need to do before laying charges. If the caser is as watertight as you suggest then why not just charge him?

peering under the bridge


Anti-War activists mark Holy Innocents in Melbourne

05.01.2013 11:13

Anti-War activists mark Holy Innocents in Melbourne
REPORT....
.

Melbourne


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

peeing off the bridge

05.01.2013 14:45

>> And you are qualified or authorised? It seems to be fact that Sweden could have interviewed Assange by now.
No im not. I think that's up to Sweden. Not you.

>> Are you a cop? If there is a rock-solid case then why haven't charges been laid already? What indications are there that he does plan to leave the Embassy?
1) No - but it seems i can think better as one than you.
2) Because "if" there was a strong case, Assange's lawyer would know from the interview and then would say "Do not ever leave the Embassy unless you want to spend the next 20 years in jail". Not a very clever way of catching criminals. If you are a cop - you don't tell someone you got a cast-iron case against them, unless you can arrest them - otherwise they will scarper and you will never catch them.
3) Indications are that there is a continued negotiation. There is no rush.


>> Your answer doesn't really clarify anything.
It does now. If you still fail to understand, then don't bother. Its pretty obvious.

>> If all Sweden is interested in is the pursuit of justice on behalf of the alleged victims - then it should interview him as soon as possible - and shouldn't allow the possibility of extradition to the USA to get in the way of that, surely? Anyway - despite your claim of zero reason - Nicola Duckworth offers two.
1) What if sweden made this promise, and then the USA revealed information that put sweden into the position where they had to extradite him under their own laws? Sweden can't make this 'promise' - because they cannot know if they can keep it.
2) Breaking the current impasse - the current negotiations will work too.
3) Woman will not be denied justice. Assauge is denying them justice, not the swedes.
4) The swedish government should not be dictated to. They should dictate to the suspect.

>> 'the people' wrote: "No, you are deliberately trying to obstruct an investigation into rape, which makes you a supporter of rapists."
I don't believe that the man is guilty until due process has taken place. Which clearly hasn't happened yet.
Agreed. Nor do i

>> Your brand of 'social justice' Appears to be just as putrid as Mr Cades.
I have not handed out any justice. I said you are trying to obstruct an "investigation", not "justice". Learn to read. Then learn to comprehend sentences. Then learn to use your brain.


>> Can you make it clear how am I deliberately trying to obstruct the investigation? I'm not connected to Assange, the Ecuadorian Embassy or Sweden. And then perhaps you can clarify how thinking a man is entitled to a trial before being found guilty makes me a "supporter of rapists."
By writing on here telling the Swedish what they can and can't and should be doing.
You are trying to prevent the Swedish authorities do what they want to do.
We both think a man is entitled to a trial before being found guity.
You support rapists by saying that a man suspected or rape should be interviewed with no chance of taking him into custody. You are putting the odds is his favour - which means you are supporting a man who is suspected of rape, which means you are a supporter of rapists.

>> 'the people' wrote: "No one put Mr. Cade in charge of handing out justice. He is a nobody with a big mouth. Words come out, but they are unimportant and can be safely ignored as he neither has the authority or the power to do anything."
You give us no clues as to how you have the 'authority or the power to do anything' - so I guess you too can be safely ignored.

I have no authority or power. I am simply telling you that you have no authority or power to order the Swedish government with your demands.

>> In the meantime I maintain that The Swedish authorities should interview Assange as quickly as possible
You have no authority to order the Swedish authorities.

>> - if that is what they need to do before laying charges.
Yes, it is what they are trying to do.

>> If the caser (sic) is as watertight as you suggest then why not just charge him?
Because they want to interview him. They have made this clear. They have not said they want to charge him.

the people


A Radical Reading of the Feast of the "Epiphany under Empire"

07.01.2013 12:10

"Epiphany Under Empire"
by Ched Myers

The origins of the feast of the Epiphany are historically complicated and ecclesially disputed. We might think of it as a kind of peace offering from the Western to the Eastern church, given the latter’s date (surely older) of Jan. 6 for the feast of the Nativity. The 12 Days of Christmas, in turn, bridge the two traditions, straddling exactly our celebration of the New Year. Epiphany has a rich cultural history in the West, from Plough Monday in early England (a drinking day for the peasantry) to La Fiesta de los Reyes Magos, still celebrated among Hispanics. What caught my attention in researching such traditions, however, was an old German practice of ritually purifying the household on the 12th day, the eve of Epiphany. Herbs were burned and the letters C+M+B (representing the legendary names of the Magi) inscribed above the entry to the house and barn, followed by a prayer asking for protection in the coming year “from the ravages of fire and water.”

ARTICLE CONTINUED......

 http://tinyurl.com/a6m4c4p

Epiphany


re; peering under the bridge

07.01.2013 13:20

heres a transcript from assanges defence (trigger warning):
"AA felt that Assange wanted to insert his penis into her vagina directly, which she did not want since he was not wearing a condom … She did not articulate this. Instead she therefore tried to turn her hips and squeeze her legs together in order to avoid a penetration … AA tried several times to reach for a condom, which Assange had stopped her from doing by holding her arms and bending her legs open and trying to penetrate her with his penis without using a condom. AA says that she felt about to cry since she was held down and could not reach a condom and felt this could end badly."

Not entirely sure how that could be argued to be informed consent.

Ether


@ether

07.01.2013 14:05

"heres a transcript from assanges defence"

It may be a quote from the transcript - but it isn't THE transcript, and that you failed to provide a link is interesting.

The quote you provide appears to have originated in the Guardian ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/12/julian-assange-strategy-fight-extradition) where it is prefaced by the journalists observation that:

"He (Emerson) then laid out their evidence against his client with relentless and clinical frankness.

Laying out the evidence against his client does not mean that his client accepts that version of events, nor even that they are accurate.

I have often heard the Prosecution laying out the defence case. It does not mean that the prosecution agrees with the defence case.

So, if you have a link to the full transcript we can all read then it would be welcome.

peering under the bridge


Request to CW et al !!?

08.01.2013 12:24

Please please Enough of your infantile religious bullshit postings on Indymedia please. Only a simpleton and moron would believe such garbage. Ffs how are we suppose to take you folks seriously when you believe and follow such childish drivel!

Santa Claus


And your point is?

08.01.2013 19:00

And your point is? Besides a pathetic attempt to appeal to ignorance and prejudice?

Of the millions who marched against these wars, the Catholic Worker and Veterans for Peace are some of the few groups that have not abandoned the anti-war resisters Manning and Assange who face a lifetime of imprisonment for exposing British wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The well resourced mainstream groups have left Manning and Assange hung out to dry. The Catholic Worker is recognised as one of the longest lasting anarchist movements in North America ,,, do some googling and reading.

Do something for Manning and Assange paying up for exposing the war or find another subcultural elitest hobby to pursue.

The wars continues, the anti-war movement collapsed quite quickly. Love or hate em the Catholic Worker keeps resisting, organising solidarity, feeding and sheltering people without state funding

@


Hide 4 hidden comments or hide all comments