Sky News informed that the demonstration on the eve of the court hearing was one of the largest protests in recent times.

We hope the court will make the right decision and side with Julian. If they do not, we will request the European Court of Human Rights an urgent injunction, Stella Assange, the defendant’s wife, said at the hearing.

Many protesters carried banners reading, “This is a show, not a trial,” “Release him immediately,” “Freedom of speech is at stake,” and “There is no extradition.”

Human rights activists and journalists’ union representatives took to a makeshift stage outside the courthouse to call on US President Joe Biden to drop the charges against the Australian journalist.

Among the protesters were former British opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Assange’s father, John Shipton, and his half-brother Gabriel Shipton, who traveled from Australia for the trial.

During the day, the judges will decide whether the assurances given to the court by the US side on April 16 are sufficient.

He could face up to 175 years in prison for all charges against him.

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