PM graffiti gets off easy

BY JORDAN FERMANIS

Inclement weather met protestors outside of the Waverley Courthouse on the 24th August where Stephen Langford was finally sentenced after his third court appearance. 

Mr Langford faced three charges in connection with the political graffiti he spray painted outside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office in May of this year.  Mr Langford spray painted ‘R.I.P. Omid’ outside Prime Minister Turnbull’s office in remembrance of Omid Masoumali who self-immolated on Nauru this year.

The Paddington resident said that they felt the magistrate was “sympathetic” to his cause which was to highlight the plight of refugees seeking asylum in Australia. 

“It was only a fine and expenses, about $4000 all up.”

“He rejected the expense of the police having to hire security guards for the PM’s office. The magistrate rejected that.”

“I got off very, you could say, lightly. I was looking forward to some restriction on my activities,” Mr Langford said.

Mr Langford said he intends to meet the cost of the penalties through fundraising and is confident the $4000 will be met easily. 

A part of Mr Langford’s defence was his rejection of the need for a good behaviour bond to be enforced as he argued that his behaviour was not amoral.

“The magistrate thought it was acceptable that I reject the good behaviour bond. He didn’t think that was ridiculous, at least someone understands,” Mr Langford said. 

The Paddington resident believes that the court decision shows the support the struggle for refugees has in all parts of the community. 

“There’s a lot of sympathy out there for the refugees. So many people know it is completely unacceptable, we want to welcome refugees, we want to abide by international law and the convention we have in fact signed and stop this repugnant fear mongering.”

Mr Langford intends to continue his public demonstrations in solidarity with the refugees, starting with attendance at a rally this weekend at Town Hall. 

“We have to be stronger. There’s a big demonstration coming up on Saturday at 1pm”

“We have to be braver; we need to do more things, more inspiring things.”