‘Offensive’ Leunig cartoon on mandatory vaccination slammed

A Leunig cartoon has been slammed as “offensive” over its comparison of mandatory vaccination to one of the world’s most infamous human rights abuses.

Cartoonist Michael Leunig has again divided fans with an image comparing resistance to mandatory vaccination as being similar to the fight for democracy in Tiananmen Square.

In an image posted to his Instagram account, Leunig drew a lone protester standing in front of a loaded syringe, mimicking the iconic “tank man” image of protest in China. An inset of the 1989 photo also appears in Leunig’s drawing.

The cartoon divided fans on his Instagram page, with some applauding it as “brilliant” and “spot on” while others described it as “pretty bad taste” and a “disgusting comparison”.

“Really? Comparing a vaccination to Tiananmen Square massacre? This undermines every other piece of art you have made that comments on humanity and social justice. Incredibly disappointing,” one person wrote.

Author Kerri Sackville posted: “Ugh. I used to idolise you”.

Another user wrote: “Wow. This is a disgusting take that mocks the bravery of the Tiananmen protesters. Absolutely ridiculous, illogical, immoral, and disgusting.”

While another asked: “Do you really relate to this level of oppression over a single vaccine in a time of pandemic? It’s not the same.”

Another fan questioned the message the work would send.

“I usually love your work and admire the way you question social/norms and assumptions. This piece however, feels pretty ill-considered during this critical time. Please think carefully about how you may influence others and your social impact as an artist. It matters,” they wrote.

Lawyers Weekly deputy editor Jerome Doraisamy tweeted the cartoon, describing it as “grotesquely offensive”.

“To compare the plight of anti-vaxxers to that of a man whose fate remains unknown, 30 years on, is just appalling,” he wrote.

Cartoonists play a unique and important role. Their insights aren’t always literal, but nor are they always helpful. Its been coming for a while but its time for me and Leunig to part ways…i think he has moved from ironic and insightful to bitter and boring #auspolpic.twitter.com/4r7ormSu1l

— Richard Denniss (@RDNS_TAI) September 27, 2021

This Leunig cartoon is so offensive to all those people who died or who suffered during the heartbreaking Tiananmen Square protests and massacre in June 1989. Publishers seriously need to rethink their contracts with Leunig. https://t.co/T1yklx79Ni

— MsL 🍩 x 1 🐀🐄 🤖🐴 (@leungpublishing) September 26, 2021

The iconic image of ‘tank man’, a Beijing demonstrator who blocked the path of a tank convoy along the Avenue of Eternal Peace near Tiananmen Square.

However, others supported Leunig, who was declared a national living treasure in 1999.

“Good on ya Leunig … one of your best,” one fan said.

“Bless you Leunig. We need more brave artists like you,” another posted.

“So accurate and reassuring that I’m not alone with my perspective!!!!,” wrote another.

“OMG … love this one.”

It’s not the first time Leunig, whose cartoons are often published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers, has caused controversy over his stance on mandatory vaccination.

In 2015, the Melbourne cartoonist sparked outrage with a cartoon comparing the Victorian government to fascists, following a proposal to ban children who are not vaccinated from childcare centres.

More recently, he caused controversy over a “condescending” image depicting an absent mum.

The infamous Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing came after weeks of protests by students and workers demanding democratic change and the end of corruption. The stance came to an abrupt end after soldiers and tanks arrived on June 4, 1989.

It’s unclear exactly how many people died but it’s thought to be between several hundred or thousands of people.

The Communist Party of China has since forbidden discussion of the Tiananmen Square protests and has taken extreme measures to block information related to it, including censoring internet posts.

Michael Leunig is causing controversy with his latest cartoon. Source: Instagram