From prison, Julian Assange sent a message to a supporter in Moscow: "Start a 'Free Assange' organising committee in Moscow. I am in a very dark place presently. Light up the night until victory!"

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"Start a 'Free Assange' organising committee in Moscow. I am in a very dark place presently. Light up the night until victory!", a message from Julian Assange to a supporter in Moscow.

People in North America no longer, truly, mobilize on the streets, unless it is about a sports team or a cultural parade. And, even when they do, leaders figure they can weather it, especially if they think they have time. If time is short, they hire someone to fix it.

Mainstream media--and too many independent news publications--have been, steadfastly and stubbornly, complicit, regarding the silencing of the story and current status of Julian Assange. The conference on media freedom, hosted by the U.K. and Canada, was an obvious joke. Canada's federal leaders are ignoring the topic, and I doubt that debate moderators will ask them about Julian during this election cycle. Brexit? They did.

Later this month, Canadians are expected to go to the polls for a federal election. I am encouraging Canadian voters to "Reject Your Ballot!" What does that mean? How do you do that?

To reject your ballot, you choose zero options. In other words, you vote for no one. OR, you vote for a minimum of two candidates. Spoiling a ballot is illegal in Canada. Rejecting a ballot is legal and, apparently, a number of people have done this. With the way seats and governments (minority versus majority) have been decided in recent memory, enough rejected ballots could have a real effect.

The smear campaign against Julian has taken over the dialogue in many corners. Even when explained, the tunnel vision of those who wish him ill remains steadfast and stubborn. Julian Assange is not the only victim of this smear campaign and the silencing of what is, actually, happening. Freedom of speech and a free press are, as well. And Canadians have this election cycle to help get this message to leaders so that they will have to care.

This federal election cycle in Canada, Reject Your Ballot!

Authors Bio:

Raechel's poetry, short stories, commentary, articles and interviews have appeared in print and online. Much of her work has, previously, appeared under the name, Rachel Gladstone-Gelman.