21.05.2025 14:51
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, made a striking protest at the Cannes Film Festival. Wearing a t-shirt with the names of 4,986 Palestinian children killed by the Israeli army in Gaza, Assange walked the red carpet, marking his first appearance at an international event in five years. His action resonated widely in both the film industry and on social media. The festival management did not intervene in Assange's protest.
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The unexpected protest by Julian Assange at the Cannes Film Festival caused a great stir. The founder of WikiLeaks walked the red carpet wearing a specially designed t-shirt with the names of 4,986 Palestinian children killed by the Israeli army in Gaza.
Assange, who was held for 5 years on espionage charges at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and then at the UK's high-security Belmarsh Prison, narrowly escaped extradition to the US. At the first international event he attended after regaining his freedom, he chose to draw attention to the situation in Palestine.
The t-shirt worn by Assange carried the names of the children whose deaths were reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health since October 7. This number had approached 5,000 during the festival.
Attending the premiere of the documentary titled "Hero or Traitor: The Julian Assange Story," Assange stated to reporters: "These are the children that should draw the world's attention, not me."
Assange's sensational protest resonated widely in both the film world and social media, aligning with the festival's support for political stances. The festival management did not intervene in Assange's protest.
Documentary director Ben Lawrence said, "Julian's commitment to freedom of expression is evident in this protest as well. He has always chosen to shout the truths that are kept silent."
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