Dame Vivienne Westwood climbed inside a human-size white birdcage stationed just outside of London’s criminal courthouse the Old Bailey, where Julian Assange has been fighting extradition to the U.S. for multiple charges including espionage.
This morning, one of the fashion industry’s most impassioned activists made some noise in London. Dressed in a boxy bright yellow suit, Dameclimbed inside a human-size white birdcage and began to squawk. “I am the canary in the coal mine,” she shouted. “If I die down in the coal mine from poisonous gas, then that’s the signal.” Westwood’s cage was stationed just outside of London’s criminal courthouse the Old Bailey, wherehas been fighting extradition to the U.S.
Assange is a hero to some and a villain to others as the whistleblowing founder of WikiLeaks. In 2010, he made public documents provided by then Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning that exposed sensitive American military intelligence. In 2016, he oversaw the WikiLeaks-led reveal of private emails related to Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state, and WikiLeaks played a central role in Russia’s 2016 election interference. If Assange is extradited to the U.S.
“I am Julian Assange,” Westwood yelled from her cage. “And I am a canary. I am half poisoned already from government corruption and gaming of the system and legal system by governments.” The designer, who helped craft the fashion narrative around punk culture, has long been a vocal advocate for free speech as well as issues surrounding climate change, anti-capitalism, and equal rights.
Last February, she held a fashion show titled Homo Loquax, which was a statement against consumerism and the media. One of her slogan T-shirt dresses read: “We sold our soul for consumption. Press tell us what we want to hear. To hell.” And back in 2015, Westwood drove a tank truck to then prime minister David Cameron’s home to promote anti-fracking. At 79 years old, she appears to have a lot of fight left in her.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Designer Vivienne Westwood leads protest supporting AssangeVeteran fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood posed in a giant bird cage in London to show her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and call for his extradition to the U.S. to be stopped.
Read more »
Caged like a 'canary', Vivienne Westwood protests for Assange in LondonVivienne Westwood, dressed in yellow, was locked into a giant bird cage outside England's Old Bailey court on Tuesday, a stunt to show her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who is fighting extradition from Britain to the United States.
Read more »
A Canary Yellow-Clad Vivienne Westwood Fights for Julian AssangeThe designer argued for Julian Assange from inside a giant birdcage suspended in front of London’s Old Bailey criminal court.
Read more »
Vivienne Westwood, 79, Staged a Protest 10 Feet in the AirThe designer showed her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by embodying a canary.
Read more »
Coronation Street star Kel Allen rushed to hospital after nasty toe accidentLaura Neelan actress Kel found herself in A&E revealed she'd broken her toe in four places
Read more »