London ( CNN ) -- Outside a modest redbrick block behind the Harrods department store in west London , a media circus is taking place . Well-to-do shoppers laden with bags side-step the TV crews clogging the pavement , asking what all the fuss is about . This is no ordinary apartment block but the Ecuadorian Embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has just been granted asylum in that country and is holed up inside the building . Assange supporters sport ' V for Vendetta ' masks and pump revolutionary anthems including Rage Against the Machine 's `` We are Legion '' and Rick Astley 's `` Never Gon na Give You Up . '' Scuffles broke out earlier between campaigners and police officers , captured on film by 10 times as many cameramen and watched by handfuls of resigned-looking residents . Reporters pack the alleyway beside the building , in case Assange makes a bid for freedom in a getaway car . But CNN 's Atika Shubert at the scene says this is the same alleyway used by Harrods ' delivery trucks . The Australian sought refuge at the embassy on June 19 in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over accusations he sexually assaulted two women . Explaining the reasons for granting asylum , Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo PatiÃ±o said Thursday there is credible fear that if Assange is sent to Sweden , he could be subsequently extradited to the United States , where he could be charged with espionage and treason . Assange published thousands of secret U.S. government documents in 2010 . We know he is still tweeting . At 2.30pm London time he posted his thanks to the Ecuador Government in Spanish : `` Gracias a Ecuador y ustedes . '' He may have seen supporting tweets from across the world , such as that from documentary filmmaker Michael Moore who urged campaigners to rise up : `` OccupyWallSt calls for people to head over to British consulate in NYC now 2 protest UK threat to raid Ecuador embassy . '' The British Government insists the UK still has a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden . As the British Foreign Office tweeted : `` We are disappointed by the statement from Ecuador 's Foreign Minister that # Ecuador has offered political asylum to Julian # Assange . '' It is a sentiment that prompted the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo PatiÃ±o to hit back : `` We are not a British colony . Those times are passed . '' Sweden 's foreign minister Carl Bildt however , remained pragmatic , posting : `` Our firm legal and constitutional system guarantees the rights of each and everyone . We firmly reject any accusations to the contrary . '' Meanwhile , the Assange gags continue to roll in on social media . Photos of taxi drivers apparently called to the Ecuadorian Embassy with signs to pick up one Julian Assange have been retweeted hundreds of times . Then there 's Darth Vadar , who joked on Twitter : `` Ecuador gave WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange assylum . Apparently , Wookieeleaks founder , Chewbacca , is heading there now too . '' Atika Shubert contributed to this report .
The modest Ecuador Embassy has become the site of a media circus . Julian Assange supporters scuffle with police and pump revolutionary anthems . Perplexed shoppers from nearby Harrods side-step the gathered TV crews . Twitter lights up with support , government lines , and gags .