Assange Defense Committee

A project of the Courage Foundation, the Assange Defense Committee is a national coalition fighting to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Comprising human rights defenders, press freedom advocates, civil liberties lawyers, and supporters across the United States, the Committee organizes public rallies, provides essential resources, and raises awareness about the unprecedented prosecution against Julian Assange and the threat it poses to the freedom of the press around the world.

In supporting journalists’ right to publish, the Assange Defense Committee is upholding the public’s right to know what its government is doing in its name.

The Committee calls for Julian Assange’s immediate release, charges to be dropped, safe passage to the secure location of his choosing, and compensation for the psychological torture and arbitrary detention he has endured.

Co-chairs

Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky

Alice Walker

Alice Walker

Assange Defense’s founding co-chairs were Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, and the late whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg.


Advisory Board

Leading journalists, lawyers, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders advising the Assange Defense Committee. See our supporters page for high-profile individuals and organizations who are standing up for Assange’s right to publish and your right to know.

  • Jeffrey St. Clair
  • Marjorie Cohn
  • Thomas Drake
  • Nozomi Hayase
  • Chris Hedges
  • Matthew Hoh
  • Sam Husseini
  • John Kiriakou
  • Norman Solomon
  • David Swanson



Regional Branches

LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK CITY

WASHINGTON D.C.

DENVER

BOSTON

  • Susan McLucas: Longtime Boston peace activist, organizer
  • Paula Iasella: Unity4J Free Assange activist, organizer in Greater Boston area
  • Contact: AssangeBoston@gmail.com

SAN FRANCISCO

  • Jeff Mackler: Longtime Bay Area activist

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL

MILWAUKEE

  • Ann Batiza: Retired academic, contact

CHICAGO

CONNECTICUT

Get in touch

Email our activist organizer and Assange Defense-LA member Vinnie DeStefano about joining a branch near you or starting one of your own!