'A succulent Chinese meal' - iconic Australian quote immortalised in national archive

'A succulent Chinese meal' - iconic Australian quote immortalised in national archive 9 minutes ago Share Save Tiffany Wertheimer Share Save Seven “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest” is now one of the most famous quotes in Australian pop culture A famously theatrical monologue, given by a man as police arrested him at a Chinese restaurant in Australia, has officially been preserved by the country's national archive. The 1991 clip of Jack Karlson's arrest in Brisbane became an internet sensation when it was rediscovered in 2009. "What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal" Karlson – born Cecil George Edwards – dramatically shouted, while resisting the officers. "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest" and "get your hand off my penis" were among his other, now immortalised, phrases that have been officially recognised by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) for their cultural significance. The moment, now known as Democracy Manifest, became one of the most viral videos in Australia's history, and inspired thousands of memes, musical remixes, merchandise and even an orchestral piece. Describing his protest as "dramatic, indignant and unexpectedly articulate", NFSA said that "Karlson's words became shorthand for irreverent Australian humour". "The recording demonstrates how voice and performance can transform an everyday news event into a lasting piece of cultural folklore," it wrote. Jack Karlson died from prostate cancer in 2024, aged 82. …