The man responsible for one of the internet's most viral clips has died at the age of 82.
Australian Jack Karlson was known to many as 'Mr Democracy Manifest' for a viral meme stemming from an incident in 1991.
He was sitting with a friend in a Brisbane restaurant eating lunch when police stormed in and whisked the then 49-year-old into a waiting car.
A struggling Karlson then turned to the waiting TV cameras and bellowed out the words which would immortalise him in Australian culture.
"Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest," he said as he fought against attempts to bundle him into the car.
"Why did you do this to me? For what reason? What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?"
Mr Karlson also asks onlookers to witness the headlock police have put him in before turning to an officer and stating: “Ah yes, I see that you know your judo well”.
He can also be heard urging police to, “Get your hand off my penis”.
The infamous moment has inspired thousands of memes, musical remixes and even a few tattoos.
Karlson's family confirmed he had passed away in hospital on Wednesday following a battle with prostate cancer.
Tributes have flooded social media following the news of his passing, with one journalist describing him as a "cultural icon".
Sad news: Mr Democracy Manifest has died. The cultural icon, whose arrest inspired a thousand t-shirts and millions of downloads, had advanced cancer. His immortal words will echo thru generations: “What is the charge..eating a meal, a succulent Chinese meal?!!” Vale Jack Karlson pic.twitter.com/nLTuZgJDaZ
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) August 7, 2024
Karlson insisted the arrest was a case of mistaken identity and claimed in a 2022 interview with 7News that the arresting officers had accused him of being an "international criminal".
