The aim of this Myspace is to show support for a group of friends that have been convicted and incarcerated for graffiti and to raise awareness to the injustice of imprisoning people who paint graffiti.
In a society where 'street/urban art' is exhibited on the walls of the Tate Modern in London and sold in auction houses around the world the messages are mixed.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION, IT WILL HELP WITH THEIR APPEAL:
Online petition - Alternative Sentencing for Graffiti Artists
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------Injustice was handed down by Judge Christopher Hardy at Southwalk Crown Court, July 11th.
Those convicted for "Conspiracy" are:
-Andrew Gillman, 25, from Battersea: 2 years custodial sentence.
-Ziggy Grudzinskas, 25, from Blackheath: 18 months custodial sentence.
-Slav Zinoviev, 25, from Battersea: 18 months custodial sentence.
-Paul Andrew Stewart, 26, from Lewisham: 18 months custodial sentence.
-Matthew Pease, 24, from Lewisham: 15 months custodial sentence.
-Matthew Tanti, 23, from Streatham: received 12 month suspended sentence and 200 hours unpaid work order.
-Jack Binnie, 25, from Lewisham: 12 month suspended sentence and 200 hours unpaid work order.
-Alex McClelland, 24, from Dulwich: received a 9 month suspended sentence and 150 hours unpaid work order
The ISSUES:
-Graffiti is a non-violent crime and these men represent no threat to society.
-Graffiti is a mainstream art form and the messages given in our media and general culture are confusing, these young men sort fame in a way that Banksy is celebrated for, they were incarcerated!
-These young men have otherwise clean records.
-The judge accepted that none of the defendants are at any risk of re-offending.
-Of all of the controversial activities that young men engage in today in modern society, graffiti is at least constructive and creative.
-Graffiti is a wonderful thing and as a society we have to develop ways to bring it into the mainstream rather than ostracising it’s perpetrators.
-Even Judge Christopher Hardy himself said:
"It would be wrong of me not to acknowledge that some examples of your handiwork show considerable artistic talent, part of what is now known as the graffiti subculture and on the way to being recognised as a valid form of art."
MOST IMPORTANTLY
-These young men have a lot to offer to society. This is not achieved by incarceration. A community order for those who were imprisoned would have enabled them to give back to society and would have been far more appropriate.
Any questions or suggestions about/for the campaign, contact this email
Anybody with contacts in the media and press please contact this email
Thanks all for the support.