[THS] Assange Granted Bail, Michael Moore Donates $20, 000 to the Cause

[The Harder Stuff in news and commentary]

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/393078/assange_granted_bail%2C_michael_moore_donates_%2420%2C000_to_the_cause/#paragraph2

Assange Granted Bail, Michael Moore Donates $20,000 to the Cause

After stewing for a week in the same jail cell where Oscar Wilde was once detained, a
British judge has granted Julian Assange bail. Today the Wikilieaks figurehead
appeared in court with a throng of protesters posted outside, and was awarded
release after a cache of celebrities ponied up £240,000--or $315,000--in funds.
Michael Moore was one of the contributors, adding $20,000 to the pot, and offering
further support in a statement, including “the assistance of my website, my servers,
my domain names and anything else I can do to keep WikiLeaks alive and thriving as
it continues its work to expose the crimes that were concocted in secret and carried
out in our name and with our tax dollars.”

Bianca Jagger, acting as a human rights activist, was in attendance at Assange's
court appearance as well, and expressed her concern over the case to the press. “If
there are valid accusations against him then let them be heard,” she said. “I don't
agree with everything he has done but the most important thing in law is justice, due
process and freedom of expression.”

A variety of intellectuals and public figures have come out in support of Assange and
Wikileaks, including British socialite Jemima Khan, who earlier today Tweeted, “Court
hearing. Plus keep being warned that the right wing press are going to slaughter me
for this stance.”

Despite the support and the bail, though, Assange will remain incarcerated pending
an appeal from the Swedish government, which must be heard within 48 hours.
Read the full story at the Daily Mail, and keep checking back here for updates.
By Julianne Escobedo Shepherd | Sourced from AlterNet
Posted at December 14, 2010, 9:06 am