Waiting For Assange: A Tragicomedy Tweet Thread

NBC News London correspondent Mac William Bishop may not have known he was about to tweet the most epic thread of Thursday, April 4, 2019, but by golly that's what he did.
“Hello Twitter,” he tweeted. “As you may have heard, WikiLeaks is asserting that Julian Assange will be forced to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London within 'hours to days.'
“So I am again outside the Ecuadorean Embassy in London to see what can be seen.”
“The answer at present is: not very much.”

It's a great thread that any reporter, by the way, can relate to. Every single journalist worth their byline has been sent off on fruitless missions exactly like this one. Few are as funny at chronicling them as @MacWBishop.

Hello Twitter. As you may have heard, WikiLeaks is asserting that Julian Assange will be forced to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London within “hours to days.”
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

BREAKING: A high level source within the Ecuadorian state has told @WikiLeaks that Julian Assange will be expelled within "hours to days" using the #INAPapers offshore scandal as a pretext--and that it already has an agreement with the UK for his arrest.https://t.co/adnJph79wq
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 4, 2019

So I am again outside the Ecuadorean Embassy in London to see what can be seen.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

The answer at present is: not very much. pic.twitter.com/AhEgKbWr4d
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

As I have mentioned in previous threads on this topic: Assange is still wanted by UK authorities for absconding bail.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

I have a thermos full of mint tea and I’ll stay here for awhile trying to outline the few facts as we know them.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

First, the Ecuadorean Embassy is just down the street from Harrod’s, a famous upscale department store.
I’ve lived in London for three years and had previously been unaware how many tourists came here, even in the middle of the night, to take their picture in front of Harrod’s.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

I won’t pretend that makes sense to me.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

It has been previously reported that a deal was struck between Ecuador and WikiLeaks that would allow him to leave the embassy and face UK justice in exchange for a promise not to be extradited.https://t.co/VQueYtQXeY
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

We have not independently confirmed that report.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

The same report notes that WikiLeaks and Assange’s attorneys rejected such a deal.
We have not confirmed that either.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Ecuadorean authorities have told CNN that “we don’t comment on baseless rumors.”
We are working to confirm that statement from the Ecuadorean authorities.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Important to note: it’s very cold outside.
I’m glad I brought the tea.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Multiple news crews now onsite. pic.twitter.com/Tzo6C5oqc4
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Some of them were smart enough to bring cars, and have snagged the best parking spots.
They will also be able to stay warm.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Few things better illustrate the degree to which nothing is currently happening than this photo of a deserted street. pic.twitter.com/4fnjGQGOnC
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

I’ve walked around the block a couple of times, wondering if I’d find signs of... well, anything.
Nothing happening there, either.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

But this street is pretty cool. pic.twitter.com/mIAxBc0Ha6
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

And so is this weird ziggurat-fountain. pic.twitter.com/TbM0mOzEvH
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

It has been claimed by the relevant authorities that ever since the NightTube started, London has become a “city that never sleeps.”
The relevant authorities have not, it seems, spent much time in Knightsbridge after midnight.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Across the street from the embassy entrance... a sign that the Met’s quarry was nearby? pic.twitter.com/NJSVPcdv68
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

Just kidding. I’ve never met an Australian that drinks Foster’s.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 4, 2019

A single police vehicle now onsite. Appears to be just routine police patrol. pic.twitter.com/qDriuW236l
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

The single police vehicle has now left. We are all saddened, as it was literally the only thing of visual interest up to now.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

Another Met police vehicle has now arrived. Patrol car. This one may be here to stay, given that there are now at least half a dozen news crews here.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

A woman pulled up in a red Mini, followed by another car, and parked directly in front of the embassy. pic.twitter.com/yaMPRV1XKg
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

She then got out and started firmly telling the assembled news crews not to film her car...
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

We asked who she was. She said “you’ll find out.” And mumbled something about being “an activist.”
A cameraman mumbled something about her being “a nutter.”
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

She and other apparent activists are now setting up multiple tents in front of the embassy. pic.twitter.com/Ko4hi7g52g
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

Sorry for the delay. I had to call my Newsdesk.
Multiple tents now. pic.twitter.com/pAlJcXUQvL
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

Also - a pretty sweet Ferrari passed by. But my picture of it sucks. pic.twitter.com/0Gp3WXOwYl
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

A man is setting out LED candles in front of the embassy. pic.twitter.com/L5QIimfPil
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

The wind has picked up & now the tents have collapsed & started to blow away.
As a dispassionate journalist, I merely observe this.
As a Coloradan & former professional guy-who-spent-a-lot-of-time-outdoors, I’m appalled by the lack of foresight in pitching this “campsite.”
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

Guylines or weights could’ve prevented this.
Obviously stakes are not really an option on the pavement. pic.twitter.com/RrYNqGuyVa
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

WikiLeaks is now claiming to have a second source confirming Assange is to be expelled.
Again, we have not independently confirmed this with the Ecuadorean government.
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

@WikiLeaks is replying to me directly. Good evening, WikiLeaks.
Has Mr Assange or his lawyers received any direct communication from the Ecuadorean or British governments?
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

The activists have laid out candles spelling something.
It took me a while to work it out.
I think it says “No Expulsion.” pic.twitter.com/MzTZHJQEHP
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

I have been befriended by a lone pigeon. pic.twitter.com/uRfDLqR45p
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019

Ok. So the bad news. I’m calling it a night.
The good news: in TV, for this kind of thing, we have what’s called a pool. It means we share resources. ITN has the watch, and about half a dozen other journalists are still here (including Ruptly’s livestream, I believe).
— Mac William Bishop (@MacWBishop) April 5, 2019