Julian Assange's Family Discusses $30 Million Campaign at Plan B Forum

Julian Assange's Fight for Freedom: A 14-Year Campaign

Julian Assange’s family took the spotlight at the Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland, discussing the extensive efforts behind his extradition battle to the United States. Over the past 14 years, the campaign has not only garnered significant public attention but also resulted in financial expenditures exceeding $30 million.

The Key Figures in the Campaign

In attendance were Julian’s wife, Stella Assange, his father, John Shipton, and his half-brother, Gabriel Shipton. Gabriel provided insight into the staggering financial requirements essential for their campaign, stating, "We're looking at upwards of $30 million, just across campaign costs, campaigning fees, legal fees." He pointed out that their efforts were truly global, fueled by tens of thousands of individual donations and substantial contributions from notable wealthy Bitcoiners.

The Role of AssangeDAO

The decentralized autonomous organization AssangeDAO has played a pivotal role in the campaign, boasting 10,000 individual members who have actively participated in funding the cause. According to AssangeDAO member Silke Noa, an astounding $37 million has been spent on legal fees and awareness campaigns supporting Assange’s freedom.

Support from the Bitcoin Community

In June 2024, with Assange's release from custody, supporters from the Bitcoin community rallied again. Due to restrictions on commercial flights, Assange had to charter a private plane to fly from the United Kingdom to Australia, incurring a cost of $520,000. Remarkably, an anonymous Bitcoiner stepped up, donating over eight Bitcoin (BTC), equivalent to $520,000 at the time, to cover these extensive travel expenses.

The Historical Context: Crypto’s Role in WikiLeaks

Crypto assets have been instrumental for WikiLeaks since 2010, especially following a declaration by former U.S. President Barack Obama labeling the organization's reporting as illegal. In an attempt to suppress WikiLeaks, the U.S. State Department ordered payment processing companies and financial institutions to withdraw their services from the organization, aiming to incapacitate the whistleblower outlet.

Conclusion

The efforts surrounding Julian Assange's freedom highlight not just a personal story of one man's struggle but also the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and activism. As the campaign continues, the role of crypto in funding such unparalleled movements only seems to grow stronger.