Image: Ben Sargent's Kylie Inspired Show
BY JORDAN FERMANIS
Paddington resident Stephen Langford appeared at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 29th June after being charged for allegedly chalking and spray painting ‘OMID R.I.P.’ on the Edgecliff office of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The case was adjourned until July 27.
Mr Langford’s politically charged vandalism was in reference to the self-immolation of Iranian refugee Omid Masoumali, who after setting himself on fire on Nauru, died in a Brisbane hospital on 27th April.
Mr Langford said he would be “pleading guilty to two of the five charges of reckless or intentional damage but contesting three of them when only chalk was used.”
Speaking to City Hub, Mr Langford said that he is ready to go to prison, which would be part of “life’s rich tapestry.”
“People in detention don’t have the rights of prisoners and they don’t know when they’re coming out, so it’s real and I’m prepared to go to prison,” Mr Langford said.
Mr Langford says he has received tremendous support from the Greens, Social Alliance, Refugee Action Coalition and People Just like Us who were at his court hearing on Wednesday June 29.
As his court decision hangs in the balance, he said he was certain his publicity for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island would continue.
“I will be asking for a prison sentence but they won’t give it to me. A bit of theatre I guess.”
“I feel the point of it is to get publicity for what is happening to refugees because there seems like there’s been a cut off in talking about refugees during this election.” Mr Langford said.
