FUCKING BLOODY YES. After what looked like a situation in which no true justice would be dealt, a man has been charged by NSW Police after painting over Scott Marsh‘s George Michael mural in Erskineville.
ABC News reports that a 23 year old man has been issued with a court attendance notice for a charge of graffiti. He had been filmed by onlookers painting over the mural, stating “I’m defending my religion.”
The mural was created as a memorial for the late singer back in 2016, but was recently the subject of a push from Facebook group Christian Lives Matter, which asked followers to “demand removal” of the artwork.
The message asks followers to request the removal of the artwork, not go and destroy it themselves – however shortly after the post was published, the mural was targeted by several different people over the course of the day and evening.
It’s now been completely defaced (although people have since written messages of equality on top of the graffiti):
Artist Scott Marsh made a statement on his Instagram account about the destruction of his mural, saying that it’s not the end for the George Michael memorial piece.
‘Saint George’ was painted almost a year ago as a tribute to the property owners lost mate George Michael. It is on the main train lines heading south through Sydney and thousands of people see it each day on their daily commutes. It has a become a shrine visited by George Michael fans from around Australia and the world, leaving flowers cards and candles at the foot of the wall when they come to mourn and remember George. It made international headlines when it was painted and was a feature in its own float in this years @sydneymardigras , televised across Australia and the world. So why now is it being attacked under the guise of religion??
I feel terrible and I’m so sorry to all the locals who have had to endure the intimidation and bullshit during the past nights attacks. It is completely surreal to see images and hear stories of groups of men, religious fanatics, travelling into these communities to intimidate locals & forcefully remove their public artwork.
Its sad really sad… so much for free speech and freedom of expression in Australia… Thanks so much for the dozens of messages of support i have received! Ill write back to them all today. The mural’s now beyond repair, time to let the dust settle. But i can promise you George will be back bigger and better than (and with a graffiti proof coating).
The man charged is expected to face the Downing Centre Local Court on December 7.
