Gary McKinnon's mum to picket Home Office

 

Gallery

By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 15 Dec 2009 at 10:18

Gary McKinnon's supporters will picket the Home Office today, protesting his extradition to the US.

The Asperger's Syndrome sufferer admits hacking into NASA and Pentagon computers, but his supporters argue he should be tried in the UK, not the US.

Medical reports claiming he would become a suicide risk if held in a US prison have not been enough to sway Home Secretary Alan Johnson to halt the extradition.

The protest was originally planned to take place in front of Buckingham Palace, as McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp believes the Queen could influence the decision.

However, following a request from police, the protest has been moved to the main Home Office location, Peel Building on Marsham Street in London between noon and 2pm, according to the Free Gary website.

On her Twitter feed, Sharp noted that MPs Keith Vaz, Nick Clegg and David Burrowes would be attending the protest.

For those that can't attend but wish to show support, Sharp asked people to send flowers or notes to Buckingham Palace, and to email or call the Home Office.

She added via Twitter: "If people can even come to protest for a few minutes in their lunch break this will be a huge help."