Assange
makes first public statement since entering
Ecuador’s London embassy
Julian
Assange made his first public appearance in two months, ever since he took
refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Addressing
the hundreds of people gathered outside the embassy, Assange thanked them for
their support, claiming it was their resolve and presence that stopped British
police storming the building.
"On
Wednesday night, after a threat was sent to this embassy and police desceneded
on this building, you came out in the middle of the night to watch over it, and
you brought the worlds eyes with you. Inside this embassy after dark I could
hear teams of police swarming up into the building through the internal fire
escape," Assange said.
"But I
knew thered be witnesses. And that was because of you."
The
WikiLieaks founder thanked President Correa "for the courage he has
shown" in granting him asylum, and to all the nations and individuals who
have shown him support.
Assange
also addressed the US government and President Obama, calling for the
persecution of WikiLeaks supporters to end.
"The
United States must pledge before the world will not pursue journalists for
shining light on the secret crimes of the powerful. The US
administration’s war against whistleblowers must end."
The
WikiLeaks founder was granted political asylum on Thursday – a decision that
ignited a wave of international responses, with the UK and Sweden opposing the
verdict and Latin American countries strongly supporting Ecuador’s move.
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Image from Twitter/@RTLondonBureau
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