Gary McKinnon is a British man who has been charged with hacking into the US Pentagon and NASA systems between 1999 and 2002. The Home Office is preparing to extradite Mr McKinnon to the US to stand trial. McKinnon has recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and his lawyers argue that because of this, and because the crime was committed on British soil that he should be tried here in the UK.
| We asked Liberty supporters and members to send messages of support to Gary, here are just a few of them: |
| We're
on your side Gary. |
| Good
luck Gary! I can't believe in this day and age that people are being
persecuted as you are. I know it must be very difficult for you and your
family but perhaps at the end of it all we can get a change to the law to
make it fairer and more equitable for the future. |
| I have
been following Gary's case with interest. I'm pleased that the Prime Minister
has raised the issue of the case in the US and I hope that a sensible course
of action will be taken which should be that Gary faces trial in the UK. I
don't believe that Gary is a serious threat to any country and I hope that
this is resolved and forgotten as soon as possible. |
| Don't
worry. It's going to be alright. |
| To Gary
and all his family. I sincerely hope that fairness and justice will prevail.
Good luck and best wishes |
| Stay
strong Gary we will never stop fighting for you. |
| Hopefully
this really can set Gary Free from a decade
of uncertainty and stress I really hope so. Good Luck to Gary and his
family. |
| This
case is an affront to justice. Gary hang in there I know the right outcome
will come out. |
| I
cannot state strongly enough how much I welcome the Government's move to
negotiate with the USA over Gary Mckinnon's detention. The Extradition Order was unfair and
inappropriate. Good luck Gary. There are many of us on your side. |
| Current
extradition arrangements are an outrage and must be reformed. |
| It seems
inherently unfair to expect an individual defendant to manage their defence
under an unfamiliar and possibly expensive legal system where the alleged
offence is UK-based. |
| I
support the case to refuse extradition and hope this is handled in this
country. |
| Hi
Gary It's great news. Let's hope the courts here decide you have already been
through enough. I first read about your case through Duncan Campbell in The
Guardian and as a psychotherapist I have been writing to politicians on your
behalf since. I once joined a small gathering of your supporters outside the
American Embassy and saw first-hand what a role model for motherhood your
mother is. |
| Good
luck Gary.You certainly don't deserve extradition. |
| Gary
McKinnon should face trial here and not in the USA. I would like to express
my support for Gary and his family and would also offer further support if
requested |
| To Gary
and his family. Just to let you know that I'm behind you wishing you all the
best. |
| I give
my whole-hearted support to Gary and his family and sincerely hope that David
Cameron will bring to an end this unfair and one-sided extradition agreement
with the US. |
| We're
behind you all the way! |
| Dear
Gary I do hope this works out OK for you. I hope you will stop worrying now
and I wish you all the very best for the future. |
| I am in
support of Gary McKinnon being tried in this country under British law as he
was on British soil when he committed the offense he is charged with. |
| Wishing
you much strength and support in the coming times. Many people have followed
your case and will stand beside you in lobbying for a fair trial and one
which takes into account what you have already been through. |
| Thinking
of you Gary. |
| The
whole extradition saga has been shameful but sadly not surprising I hope that
Gary can stay and the extradition act can go
and I have campaigned for both. Good luck Gary! |
| I hope
your Asperger's Syndrome will be taken into consideration. |
| Thinking
of you Gary and looking forward to seeing you home again. Stay strong the British public are all
behind you x |
| You and
your family are constantly in our thoughts Gary. We will continue to do the
small things that we can to campaign for you and we keep you in our prayers. |
| Best of
luck Gary. Keep strong! |
| Hi
Gary I think extradition for your case is quite inappropriate and I very much
hope you will stay here. I believe
that you did not realise what your
pursuit of UFOs could cause serious damage - that was unfortunate but not
done on purpose. |
| I wish
to express my support for Liberty in the campaign against extradition of Gary
McKinnon as I feel that if he is to face trial at all it should be in his
home country. |
| Hello
Gary....Just sending you my very best wishess and great hope for the future. |
| Hi Gary
Please accept my best wishes in your fight against extradition. I hope all
goes well for you. I am sure that there are many people who share my opinion
that you deserve better treatment than you are getting from the British
government. Hopefully that will change soon! |
| As a
mother of a young man with Asperger's I cannot understand how our judicial
systems have allowed this prolonged torment of a young disabled person. I
hope he can stay in the UK at the very least. |
| Gary is
a victim of an unfair and unequal extradition arrangement and it is immoral
that he would be tried in a foreign country and not in the UK. It is also
against his human rights. |
| Best
wishes and good luck. |
| Gary
should not be extradited to America. |
| Dear
Gary I am very pleased to hear that Cameron and Obama are discussing your
case and I that you will not be extradited to the USA. |
| Chin up
Gary. You're lucky to have such a
wonderful Mum. |
| Any
trial involving Gary should be in the UK. The previous Government's treaty
with the US for fast-tracking extradition should be scrapped. |
| Mr
McKinnon is a British citizen and should be subject to British Law. |
| Dear
Gary Thinking of you and I hope you will soon be home With all good wishes |
| No
unjustified extradition by foreign governments especially one with such a
poor human rights record over extraordinary rendition and torture |
| Dear
Gary Many people understand that you are not a bad person. I hope very much that justice will
prevail. love to you and your family |
| Wishing
you all well and I hope that the respective Governments see sense and deal
with matters here in the UK |
| Gary we
are all behind you and the campaign to keep you here in the UK. My thoughts
are with you and your mum. Keep up the good fight. Always remember that
people are supporting you. Good luck |
| Best
wishes for a satisfactory soloution. |
| Good
luck for you and your family's fight to prevent your extradition to the US -
their problem is that they don't like their complete and utter failure to
protect their computer system adequately made public. |
| Good
Luck stay calm. |
| Gary
McKinnon should not be sent abroad for trial.
Enough is known about Asperger's Syndrome for everyone to be aware of
the trauma a change of environment can cause an individual with this
syndrome. If there has to be a trial
it should be in the UK which in itself will be hard enough. I do hope it will
not come to this. I sincerely hope Gary
that you will not be sent to the US for trial and it's good to know
that so many of us will be campaigning for this. Best wishes and good luck. |
| Gary
McKinnon has my full support and I hope the British and US authorities have
the wisdom to find a sensible and compassionate solution in this case. I'm
hoping the new UK coalition government will also take a very close look at
the current extradition arangements vis a vis British subjects to the US.
There is a reason that this agreement is not reciprocal - namely that the US
authorites understand that such a system would not properly protect the
rights of their citizens and is open to abuse. Perhaps we should be asking
ourselves why the UK authorities are not protecting us in the same way? |
| Dear
Gary seems as though common sense may prevail. Good luck |
| Good
news that the US and UK leaders are discussing Gary McKinnon's case. I hope you will get the outcome that you
want soon. |
| Hold
out for a fair trial in the UK. Good luck! |
| I am
following your case with concern and hope you are coping with the deplorable
position in which you find yourself. Keep hoping that we can help you back
home and free soon. |
| Gary's
alleged offence was committed in UK. He was not seeking to destabilize the
USA's security system and there is therefore no justification for extraditing
him under a process which seems unfair in any case. |
| I do
hope that the US President and the Prime Minister can quickly find a way
forward for any trial to take place here in the UK. I think that the strain you and your family
have experienced because of the UK and USA administrations is
unforgivable. I look forward to a good
outcome. I yearn to hear that your
life is back fully on track and to learn that you have rediscovered what it
is like to be carefree. |
| Keep
strong Gary. |
| Gary
and his mother have been living with the threat of extradition for far too
long.There are promising signs that the new government will do the right
thing and I just hope that they will now act quickly to resolve this for Gary
and to reform the extradition laws. Good luck |
| Good
Luck! You have a lot of people behind
you so hang on in there. |
| Gary I
am hoping that the politicians see sense and release you without charge. |
| Many of
us are completely behind you and your right to be tried in the UK. So keep
your spirits up as you have galvanised much of the thinking UK public into
some action to stop unjust extradition. A feat in itself. Good luck and we
think the US government are lucky it was you highlighting flaws in their
security rather than someone malicious. |
| Gary
Very best wishes and hoping you stay in the UK. |
| My
thought and best wishes are with you and your family at this time. I know you are innocent of the charges
against you and I know you will win. Love light and bright blessings. |
| I
support Liberty's stance on the case of Gary McKinnon absolutely |
| We will
all do our best for you. God bless you. |
| He
should face trial in the UK. |
| I'm
fully in support of your case Gary and wish you -- and your mother and
everyone fighting for you -- every success. |
| I am right behind you Gary! |
| Dear
Gary I am very pleased to hear that your case has been raised with the
President by the Prime Minister and I hope with all my heart that a much
fairer and more equitable settlement of your case can now be reached. |
| Fair
play and common sense are going to win in the end so keep your spirits up! |
| Dear
Gary I do hope you get justice. I have
a son with Asperger's Syndrome. I wish
you well and hope you stay safe. |
| I
support Gary's right to be tried in the UK as he is a British citizen and his
alleged crime took place here too I also believe that his Different Abilities
and possible psychological vulnerability mean that he should not be
extradited to the USA and should certainly not spend ANY time in a USA prison
away from a necessary support structure. I wish you luck Gary and am keeping
you and your mum in my prayers. |
| Please
let sense prevail and give this young man his trial in the UK. |
| Hi Gary
how are you? Just to let you know its an honour and privilege to support you
and your family.I've been keeping an eye on developments via the news and
internet I've got a Free Gary Ribbon on my Twitter page and I also RT
anything to do with the case as we need to get the message across to people
there seems to be a glimer of hope to you Gary and I pray for youand your
family you have my full support. Say hello to your Mum for me she's one
amazing woman determination and courage shine through well gary take care
head up keep strong. |
| I
believe that it is very unfair that you should be sent away and be subject to
another country's judicial culture. It should be accepted that purpose and
enquiries should be understood for what it is. Best wishes for British
justice. |
| I have -
as many - been following Gary's case on the sidelines. I am glad Liberty is
behind him and very much hope that the Govt does not allow his extradition to
the US and that the extradition laws are changed. If this does happen it may
at least be some small consolation for Gary and his family having gone
through all this for so long. Good Luck. |
| We're
all thinking of you and hoping things turn out as they should. it's great news that the PM and President
are talking about you. |
| Quite
simply it would be an absolute travesty if Gary McKinnon is extradited to the
United States. This would also be a shameful disgrace upon the british
government |
| Dear Gary - stay strong. |
| I
support that Gary McKinnon should be tried in the U.K. and call on the P.M.
and Barak Obama to support this obligation |
| I
have a son with aspergers i understand fully the failure to understand his
view of the world.I support him without reservation. |
| We
support Liberty's campaign for Gary McKinnon to be tried in the UK |
| Time
for an even-handed approach to extradition! |
| I hope
that now with the two countries talking at a high level and giving this
matter the focus it warrants you can move forward to a fair resolution. |
| Good
Luck Gary Hope you are successful in your quest for a UK trial |
| Hi
Gary. Im a mum of a young lady who has aspergers syndrome who I adore
unfortunately she got herself into a few situations that were not pleasant
and can get very down the system where I live does not understand this
condition and we get no support whatsover.I can understand that honesty is a
big priority to you this is what a lot of people do not seem to
understand.Good luck with the campaign and dont get down about this hopefully
there will be a positive outcome. |
| Your
extradition would be a grievous attack on the right of a Crown subject to a
fair trial in a British court. I hope that this government is more interested
in justice than the previous one. |
| Dear Mr.
Gary Keep fighting for your rights because I'm fighting for yours whether the
pentagon likes it or not. |
| Gary
should remain in the UK and should be tried here where friends and family can
support him. |
| Hi Gary
I sincerely hope that the USA will drop its extradition claim so that you can
remain with your friends and family in the UK. |
| You
have my support gary. |
| Go for
it Gary we who understand Asperger's are behind you! |
| Gary I
am one of many people in this country who are behind you and wish you luck in
your fight to recieve a trial in the U.K. Good luck we are all thinking of
you and doing what we can. |
| I
understand a bit about Asperger's as my nephew has it, and he lives with us
so that he can go to a school that meets his needs. Try to keep cheerful,
Gary and try to think about good things. We will keep campaigning for you and
we are on your side! |
| My
thoughts are with you Gary. I can't imagine how tough this must be for
you. You can add my name to the list
of people supporting you in your right to have a fair trial in the UK. My very best wishes to you and your family.
Don't give up. |
| Keep
hoping! Keep fighting! Keep believing! With best wishes |
| Hi
Gary, I heard about you through your wonderful mother and your great network
of friends on Twitter. Every hour of every day, someone, somewhere is
thinking about you, talking about your case, and fighting for your freedom.
We all look forward to the day you walk free. May that day be tomorrow! We
all love you, we will never forget you or stop fighting. Take care, Gary. |
| It is
time that the politicians delivered on their pre-election promises of
support. |
| I can't
believe this is still going on - someone must end your misery soon. Thinking of you here in snowy Edinburgh -
wishing you the very best of luck in your fight for freedom. Happy Christmas too. |
| Hang on
in there Gary and stand up for your rights. I'll be thinking of you. |
| A
strong campaign has been mounted on your behalf Gary. Your cause is our
cause. |
| Gary's
alleged offence was committed in UK there is no justification for extraditing
him under this unfair process. |
| I hope
you get the justice you and every other person in your situation deserves.
It's clear that your situation has raised awareness of issues that the
average citizen never hears about. So remember its not just the British
public that are with you...but everyone that believes in justice! |
| Stay
strong Gary. |
| If
Liberty thinks your case is unjust, then rest assured you are in good
hands. Good luck with everything, and remember your not alone mate. |
| I pray
that all these messages will help support your case and help to avoid
extradition. You are obviously a very bright, clever lad and just got carried
away with an interesting experiment. I trust the long wait will soon be over
and that your family and yourself will be able to relax again. |
| Good
luck Gary. Stay strong |
| Hi Gary.
I have been following your case from the start and I am now optimistic that
the tide is turning in your favour thanks to the public support behind you. |
| I do not
believe you should be tried in America. Waiting must be very scary for you. I
hope you will soon hear that you do not have to be extradited. |
| We're
right behind you Gary, as is a fair part of the rest of the nation. We won't
let you go. |
| Take
heart, Gary. You have so much support. I wish you well. |
| Dear
Gary, Every good wish to you that your terrible extradition hell, will be
over soon! You have a load of support out there, in the UK and abroad too...
I'm sure that all those people wouldn't sit by and allow you to be
extradited.All the very best |
| I support you all the way. Autistic people should be supported and helped, I do not agree with the extradition and the UK should not let this happen |