Democracy Manifest or Succulent Chinese Meal?

The Arrest of Cecil George Edwards

A Wrongful Arrest and an Enduring Legacy

In 1947, a petty criminal named Cecil George Edwards was wrongfully arrested in Sydney, Australia. The incident was captured on film, and Edwards's dramatic exclamation, "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest," became an enduring symbol of the abuse of power.

Fifteen years later, Jack Karlson, a well-known figure in the Sydney underworld, was arrested in a similar manner. As he was being escorted to a police vehicle, Karlson looked at the cameras capturing the incident and dramatically delivered the same line: "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest."

Karlson's arrest and his subsequent trial became a media sensation. The phrase "democracy manifest" became a catchphrase, and it has been used ever since to describe situations in which the government abuses its power.

The arrest of Cecil George Edwards and the subsequent arrest of Jack Karlson are both examples of the abuse of power. These incidents serve as a reminder that even in a democracy, the government can sometimes overreach and violate the rights of its citizens.