Title: A Virtual Stand for Julian Assange: Political Rally in The Sandbox
Introduction
The confinement of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has sparked a new wave of protest. In a unique approach, supporters have organized a political rally in the metaverse, specifically the Wistaverse in the Sandbox metaverse. This virtual event, planned by the ‘Don’t Extradite Assange Campaign,’ aims to draw attention to Assange’s situation and features speeches by notable figures. The rally is intended to protest against his potential extradition to the U.S. and the espionage charges he faces there.
Virtual Speakers and Event Details
The virtual rally will include a pre-recorded message from Assange himself, who has been confined in London’s Belmarsh Prison since April 2019. Joining him will be his wife, Stella Assange, WikiLeaks co-founder Kristinn Hrafnasson, and former leader of the U.K.’s Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. These speeches will be delivered in the form of avatars or via recorded contributions within the event.
The virtual rally is set to take place at 5 p.m. BST on August 26, 2023. It intends to protest against Assange’s potential extradition to the U.S., where he faces espionage charges that could result in up to 175 years of imprisonment. These charges stem from his leaking of classified information pertaining to the U.S. government’s actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Wistaverse, the metaverse hosting the event, allows each participant to have an avatar. These avatars can listen to speeches, watch videos, and interact with other avatars attending the virtual rally. The Wistaverse ensures users’ real identities remain safe and welcomes anyone to join in.
A Modern Intersection of Politics and Technology
Assange’s involvement with technology goes beyond this virtual rally. The founder of WikiLeaks has previously explored Web3 technology, raising approximately $50 million through the sale of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to support his legal battle. The “Assange DAO” and “$JUSTICE” token were also created during this fundraising effort.
The virtual rally represents an intriguing confluence of politics, activism, and technology. Supporters of Assange are utilizing the metaverse and blockchain technology to voice their protest and raise awareness of his plight. This event underscores how the digital age continues to shape and reconfigure political engagement, motivating people to unite around shared principles in previously unimagined ways. It exemplifies the evolving landscape of activism, wherein traditional barriers are transcended, and innovative methods are employed to make a stand.
Conclusion
As the confinement of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange persists, his supporters are finding innovative means to campaign for his cause. By organizing a virtual rally in the Sandbox metaverse’s Wistaverse, activists are leveraging modern tools to draw attention to Assange’s extradition proceedings and the charges he faces. This digital gathering demonstrates the intersection of technology and politics, exemplifying how the virtual realm can serve as a platform for activism and engagement. By harnessing the power of the metaverse, Assange’s supporters are taking their stand in a digitally immersive and globally accessible way.
