Bowling Green Today

Recently, US Senator Rand Paul, along with 15 other bipartisan Members of Congress, sent a letter to President Biden urging him to end the extradition request and halt all prosecutorial proceedings against Australian publisher Julian Assange. The letter emphasizes the importance of preserving free speech and freedom of the press.

In the letter, the Members state, "It is the duty of journalists to seek out sources, including documentary evidence, in order to report to the public on the activities of government. The United States must not pursue an unnecessary prosecution that risks criminalizing common journalistic practices and thus chilling the work of the free press. We urge you to ensure that this case be brought to a close in as timely a manner as possible."

Joining Dr. Paul in sending the letter are Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY-04), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO-07), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT-02), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO-01), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14).

The letter calls for the case to be brought to a close in a timely manner, ensuring that journalistic practices are not criminalized and the work of the free press is not hindered. It highlights the duty of journalists to seek out sources and report on government activities. This bipartisan effort demonstrates the shared concern for the preservation of free speech and freedom of the press.

The full letter can be read HERE.

This news was originally published on Senator Rand Paul's website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-joins-bipartisan-letter-urging-the-u-s-to-end-prosecution-of-julian-assange/