A recent mural by the mysterious British street artist Banksy, depicting a judge striking an unarmed protester with a gavel, is set to be taken down from a wall near a prominent London court, officials announced on Monday.
The artwork, unveiled on Monday, portrays a protester on the ground holding a sign covered in blood, while a judge in traditional attire is shown hitting the protester with a gavel. Banksy shared a photo of the mural on Instagram, his customary method of authenticating his creations, with a caption identifying the location as the Royal Courts Of Justice in London.
Security personnel at the courthouse promptly covered the mural with black plastic sheets and metal barriers on Monday, and it is currently being safeguarded by two officers and a security camera. Due to the historical significance of the 143-year-old Victorian gothic revival building, authorities from HM Courts and Tribunals have decided to remove the mural while preserving the building’s original character as a listed structure protected by law.
Although the mural does not explicitly reference any specific cause or event, activists interpreted it as a commentary on the UK government’s prohibition of the group Palestine Action. Over the weekend, nearly 900 individuals were detained during a demonstration in London challenging this ban.
Defend Our Juries, the organization behind the protest, expressed that the mural vividly illustrates the harsh impact of the government’s ban. They emphasized that oppressive use of the law only fuels dissent rather than extinguishing it.
Banksy, known for his politically charged artwork, began his career in Bristol, England, and has gained global recognition for his pieces critiquing government policies on migration and warfare. His creations often fetch millions at auctions and have been targets of theft and vandalism.
The artist’s advocacy for migrants was evident at the Glastonbury Festival last year when an inflatable raft carrying dummies in life jackets was displayed, symbolizing migrant crossings in the English Channel. Banksy’s support for migrants extended to Europe, with artworks like “The Migrant Child” in Venice and pieces in Paris addressing migration issues.
Having produced numerous works in conflict zones like the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including provocative pieces like a girl frisking an Israeli soldier, Banksy’s art has faced removal in the past, mainly for preservation purposes. Some of his animal-themed pieces in London were also relocated last year for safekeeping.
