• This event has passed.

Film & Fundraiser for Military Whistleblower David McBride BYRON BAY

August 19, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm AEST

David McBride faces a secret trial on November 13 for allegedly leaking classified defence material to the media. The material later formed the basis of “The Afghan Files”, a 2017 ABC expose revealing allegations of misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. Now, the whistleblower faces the rest of his life in prison for simply doing his job.
The disclosures led to an AFP raid on the Sydney offices of the ABC demanding disclosure of the source.
The Brereton Report also supported the claims and found that the information was credible. That report recommended police investigate 19 special forces soldiers for the alleged murders of 39 Afghan prisoners and civilians, and the cruel treatment of two others. So far, none of the accused in these incidents are being trialed, only the whistleblower – David McBride.
McBride has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including the unauthorised disclosure of information, theft of commonwealth property and breaching the Defence Act. After fighting in court to plead that the information was in the public interest, his legal team was told that any evidence they produced could be withheld, forcing them to withdraw their public interest defence.
McBride’s trial will be costly for him. To help him, the Assange campaign is holding a fundraiser which will include a screening of the short documentary ‘Declassified’, finishing with David McBride in a Q+A session.
Please come along to watch Declassified and (if you can) donate to David McBride’s legal fund.
“I’m not here to avoid going to gaol. I’m here to get change. I’m here to kill this dragon. It’s not good enough if they just drop the charges and slink away. They’ve wasted 10 years of my life. They’ve ruined my career, a career I loved. They have done untold damage to my children’s psychology. I’m not going to be satisfied if they just slink away into the bushes. I’m here to kill this monster, and that may mean going to trial. It may mean being gaoled. That is often the way we get change.” 
– David McBride   

Details

Date:
August 19, 2023
Time:
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm AEST
Event Category:
Website:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/film-fundraiser-4-warcrimes-whistleblower-david-mcbride-tickets-690817603047?aff=ehometext&keep_tld=1

Groups

Brisbane Assange Action Queensland
Melbourne4Assange
Northern Rivers NSW 4Assange
Julian Assange Brisbane

Location

Marvell Hall
37 Marvell Street
Byron Bay, NSW 2481 Australia + Google Map