The Support Assange and WikiLeaks Coalition released this statement on March 4.
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On March 2, the Sydney Support Assange and WikiLeaks Coalition (SAWC) entered their 100-people walking float in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade. Supporters came from all over Australia to help raise awareness of the plights of Bradley Manning's and Julian Assange.
Participants in the first section of the float held up an image of Bradley and chanted “Free Bradley Manning”, whilst carrying banners displaying the website bradleymanning.org.
"What caught us by surprise, was that the crowd spontaneously joined in with our chant on numerous occasions", said Ian Rose of SAWC.
The WikiLeaks Ute followed with the sound and lighting equipment. The ute was driven by Anonymous while AnonyMiss filmed from the tray.
Next came the group with Julian Assange face masks and banners displaying the web address: justice4assange.com. They were followed by caricatures of Prime Minister Gillard, Foreign Minister Carr, Uncle Sam and 3 "banksters".
PM Gillard and FM Carr were restricted by gold chains held by Uncle Sam, who whipped them into line, whilst the banksters held Uncle Sam with gold chains and whipped him into line along the parade route.
"The crowd went especially wild over the caricatures", said Rose. "They understood the message we were conveying about who really wields the power in our 'democracy'”.
Photos of the float by Peter Boyle.