Supporters hold Julian Assange rally to mark his birthday

Supporters of Julian Assange marched through Melbourne as the WikiLeaks founder spent yet another important date in prison.

Hundreds of people have gathered in Melbourne’s CBD to mark the birthday of Julian Assange.

Crowds assembled outside the state library holding placards before marching through the city towards the UK Consulate.

Calls for the government to intervene in the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder from the US to the UK were among the list of supporters’ demands.

“Not one more birthday should he spend incarcerated,” the group said.

Similar protests occurred in London over the weekend.

Protesters have gathered in Melbourne calling for the release of Julian Assange. Picture: Tony Gough

Protesters have called for Julian Assange to be released. Photo by Justin Tallis/AFP.

His wife, Stella Assange, and supporters gathered outside of the British Home Office to call for his release from Belmarsh Prison.

It comes after Mr Assange lodged a last-ditch appeal to the UK High Court over the British government’s decision.

The appeal is the latest twist in the decade-long saga sparked by the publication of classified US documents.

In the US, he faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse.

Home Secretary Priti Patel signed an order on June 17 approving the WikiLeaks founder’s extradition.

Protesters gathered in Melbourne on Julian Assange’s birthday. Picture: Tony Gough.

Hundreds of protesters rallied calling for Julian Assange to be freed. Picture: Tony Gough.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly refused to comment publicly on Ms Assange’s case since being elected in May.

Instead, he insisted “not all foreign affairs is best done with the loud hailer”.

Greens senator Janet Rice, who addressed the Melbourne rally, called on Mr Albanese to “pick up the phone” and demand US President Joe Biden drop the charges.

In a statement last month, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said they wanted to see the case brought to a close.

“We will continue to express this view to the governments of the United Kingdom and United States,” they said.

Originally published as Supporters hold Julian Assange rally to mark his birthday