Pictured: Ben Quilty. Original image source: News Corp Australia
A group of Australian celebrities have joined artist Ben Quilty's plea for mercy for Bali Nine drug traffickers Myarun Sukumaran and Andrew Chan. Sukumaran and Chan's appeals for a presidential pardon from the death penalty have both been denied, and the two men are expected to face execution by firing squad within weeks.
Among the celebrity supporters of the campaign (called I Stand For Mercy) are Asher Keddie, Claudia Karvan, Missy Higgins, Megan Washington, Alan Jones, Andrew Denton, Josh Pyke, The Presets, Augie March, Kate Miller-Heidke and Tim Rogers.
According to news.com.au, Ben Quilty, who met Sukumaran and Chan while teaching art workshops in the jail where they're residing, says, “I want to send a strong message to the men themselves and their families that there are a lot of prominent Australians in the arts, media and all parts of our community who are on their side. I want the barristers to walk into that prison and tell the boys how many people are thinking of them and supporting them.”
“I have a whole lot of supporters and long list of musicians but still no venue. We’re looking for somewhere to hold it that’s not political as it’s for the people who want to walk with these two boys into the bleakest place. I still don’t have a date and there are so many hurdles to get over but people from everywhere are helping me," Quilty says.
The Bali Nine were arrested in 2005 attempting to traffic heroin into Australia.
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