His arrest came amidst an international uproar over WikiLeaks’ most recent publication of a massive trove of secret U.S. diplomatic cables. Assange’s attorney, Mark Stephens, said Assange could remain behind bars until a follow-up hearing within 48 hours.

Mark Stephens: *”Finally, after two hours, we’ve heard that the Swedes won’t abide by the umpire’s decision, and they want to put Mr. Assange through yet more trouble, more expense, more hurdles. They clearly will not spare any expense but to keep Mr. Assange in jail. This is really turning into a show trial, and we will be in court again within the next 48 hours.”*

**Supporters Rally for Assange in Australia**

WikiLeaks supporters continue to hold actions worldwide. As Assange appeared in court, hundreds of people rallied in Sydney outside the U.S. embassy in his native Australia.

Organizer: “*We have to take a stand here. This is his birthplace in Australia. If there isn’t a movement here, there won’t be one anywhere.”*

**U.S. Air Force Blocks Sites that Published WikiLeaks Cables**

The release of the classified U.S. diplomatic cables continues to fuel government censorship here in the United States. The U.S. Air Force has announced it is now blocking personnel from accessing the websites of more than 25 news outlets and blogs that have posted the cables so far. The censored outlets include the New York Times, The Guardian of London, Germany’s Der Spiegel, Spain’s El País and France’s Le Monde. Air Force personnel trying to read those websites are met with a message saying, *”Access Denied: Internet usage is logged and monitored.”*

**Incoming GOP Lawmaker: Censor News Agencies for WikiLeaks**

The U.S. Air Force censorship comes as an incoming Republican Congress member has called for targeting news outlets that published the cables. In a radio interview, Rep.-elect Allen West of Florida called for censoring any news outlets that ran stories based on the cables’ release.

Allen West: *”Here is an individual that is not an American citizen, first and foremost, for whatever reason, you know, gotten his hands on classified American material and has put it out there in the public domain. And I think that we also should be censoring the American news agencies which enabled him to be able to do this and then also supported him and applauded him for the efforts. So, that’s kind of aiding and abetting of a serious crime.”*