Steven Brust is a prominent fantasy and science fiction writer, the author of 31 books, as well as a musician. He is perhaps best known for his series of novels about the assassin Vlad Taltos, one of a group of humans living on a world called Dragaera.

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I send my fraternal greetings to those attending the Socialist Equality Party rally in Sydney to demand the Australian government stop the persecution of Julian Assange. The information Assange has worked to make public has been of immeasurable help in informing the world of the specifics of the crimes of the US government and its allies, and of the internal workings of its political machinery.

This is a service to everyone committed to the fight for freedom and equality, and it is the only reason he is hounded and threatened and silenced. Indeed, one cannot help but wonder: what atrocities are being committed right now that we haven't learned of because the unceasing harassment of this whistle-blower?

The defense of Julian Assange is nothing less than the defense of our right to know the crimes being carried out in our name. I salute his personal courage and integrity, and the efforts of those who are taking a stand for his freedom.