letter

today's opinion piece is a letter released by prominent americans urging equador to accept julian assange's asylum request.

published by common dreams and just foreign policy, the letter is signed by over 83 individuals ranging from film directors michael moore, oliver stone, and danny glover;  well known t.v. and media hosts, constitutional attorneys, political activists, writers, university faculty, heads of prominent human rights and social justice organizations, artists, and foreign policy and economics experts.  truthout reports the letter accompanied by a petition signed by 4,000 americans also urging president rafael correa to approve julian assange's asylum request.

Adding that the US government "has made clear its hostility to WikiLeaks", it says he could face the death penalty in the US if he was charged and found guilty under the Espionage Act.

"We also call on you to grant Mr Assange political asylum because the 'crime' that he has committed is that of practicing journalism," says the letter, which is addressed to Correa.

It concludes: "Because this is a clear case of an attack on press freedom and on the public's right to know important truths about US foreign policy, and because the threat to his health and well-being is serious, we urge you to grant Mr Assange political asylum."

below, a youtube released by michael moore's channel showing robert naiman hand delivering the letter to a representative for ecuador's embassy in london, yesterday, june 25, 2012.