John Shipton, Julian Assange's father, spoke to me in an interview this week just days before Christmas. I was bracing for a difficult, anguished encounter, given the appalling injustice meted out to Julian.

The date was December 21, the shortest (darkest) day in the Northern Hemisphere. John was in Melbourne, the longest, brightest day in the Southern Hemisphere. The polar opposites of Winter and Summer Solstice seem befitting now.

And I was surprised that John had a hope-inspiring message… there is a rising tide of worldwide public support for Julian demanding his release from prison. This mass support may be reaching a critical point to make the Biden Administration relent from its persecution of Assange.