Democracy Manifest: Viral ‘succulent Chinese meal’ star Jack Karlson faces cancer battle

A Queensland man who shot to internet fame and inspired memes after a video of his arrest in Fortitude Valley over a “succulent Chinese meal” went viral is facing a major health battle.

A Queensland man who shot to internet fame and inspired memes after a video of his 1991 arrest in Fortitude Valley over a “succulent Chinese meal” went viral is facing a major health battle.

Known as ‘Mr Democracy Manifest,’ or ‘The man who ate a succulent Chinese meal,’ Jack Karlson has been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mr Karlson became an internet sensation after his theatrical arrest by Queensland Police at the China Sea restaurant in Fortitude Valley in October 1991 was filmed by Channel 7.

He claims to have been mistaken for an alleged credit card fraudster.

Jack Karlson arrested outside a Fortitude Valley restaurant in 1991. Picture: Chris Reason / Seven News

As he was being taken into custody, Mr Karlson reeled off several classic lines that have gone down in Australian pop culture history including “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!” and “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?”.

Video of the arrest went viral, with several versions on YouTube raking in millions of views.

Mr Karlson’s cancer diagnosis comes after it was announced that his life story was going to be told in a new documentary.

In setting up a GoFundMe fundraiser to support her internet-famous uncle, Kim Edwards said “he’s worth at least a beer”.

Viral internet star Jack Karlson has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, after it was announced a new documentary would tell his life story. Picture: GoFundMe

“He has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is also in need a surgery on his cataracts,” she said.

“I know Jack’s video has given a lot of people joy and he has inspired many memes, T-shirts and other things over the years but Jack himself is doing it quite tough.

“He has never had much money but has always been generous to family and friends, he lives week to week in regional Queensland with the help of a voluntary carer.

“Hoping people can dig deep – I think he’s worth at least a beer, maybe even a six-pack.”

Ms Edwards said the money will go to her uncle’s medical costs, getting him to and from appointments, and other general living costs.