Reporters from around the world flocked to the scene of Julian Assange’s arrival, waiting in the freezing winds with supporters trying to catch a glimpse. Photo: James Day.
While Australia watched the Blues victory in State of Origin this week, much of the rest of the world set its eyes on Julian Assange taking his first steps on home soil.
The man who escaped extradition to the US set down on the Canberra Airport tarmac after a six-hour flight from the Northern Mariana island of Saipan on Wednesday night (26 June). Before fronting the US District Court, he’d come halfway around the world from the UK’s high-security Belmarsh prison where he’d served nearly six years.
So when a crowd of supporters and international media outlets watched as Mr Assange’s jet taxied towards a RAAF hangar where his family awaited, they were patient.
Along with a fleet of live broadcasters describing what some might call an historic occasion, there was a medley of onlookers and groupies trying to glimpse the man that had successfully waded through 14 years of legal battles against the most powerful nation on Earth.
It was clear the bitter cold hadn’t tempered much excitement when Mr Assange descended from the plane, bringing cheers from those assembled.
Despite reports of his very poor health, the newly freed man shot his fist up in the air to much applause after lifting his wife, Stella Assange, off her heels as they embraced.
Once he moved inside to be processed by Customs, the crowd migrated towards the gates where bored AFP officers stood guard and provided regular updates on the State of Origin scores.
Among the mob of onlookers was a couple holding a Southern Cross and Australian flag, along with four Chilean women excitedly celebrating as a Spanish-speaking reporter tried to muster a couple lines out of them for her evening clip.
Standing nearby was a young man named Darcy and his mother – who had prepared for the long wait clad in a coat and armed with her paperback novel.
When asked what possessed them to brave the cold, Darcy said he was very keen to show his support and see the whole process unfold.
“It’s a pretty historic moment, especially for Australia, and he looks pretty stoked to be back,” he said.
“We were one of the first people over here to watch his plane land, but as far as following the whole thing – it’s been a very long time.”
Before long, cars with tinted black windows intermittently passed through the gates. The first two merely teasing flashing cameras until onlookers made out Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, in the back seat of a black Audi.
Soon after Mr Assange came by waving from the front seat of a mini-van, while his wife and lawyers sat behind him.
As a crowd of Origin fans left the East Hotel in Kingston, a new mob squeezed their way back in with hopes of seeing Mr Assange.
Media, students, supporters and those wandering from Kingo’s across the road to see what the fuss was all about, gathered in the hotel’s atrium, lining the balconies, standing on top of tables, all trying to glimpse the spectacle.
ACT Senator Alicia Payne, WA Labor MP Josh Wilson and Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John were present – along with two vocal groups of Palestine supporters and seniors dressed in yellow who sang songs as they waited outside the Wikileaks press conference.
Exhausted hospitality workers from Joe’s Bar stood in as security for the conference as tens of onlookers tried to get in and get a shot of the international address.
In the absence of Mr Assange, his father John Shipton – one arm in a sling and an ear-to-ear grin – stood in to thank supporters for coming out.
It was a moment many had waited years to see – even if it meant missing the football.
