Banksy’s Controversial ‘Judge Beats Protester’ Mural Removed from Royal Courts of Justice
Banksy’s Controversial ‘Judge Beats Protester’ Mural Removed from Royal Courts of Justice
A new mural by the elusive street artist Banksy, depicting a judge striking a protester with a gavel, was swiftly removed from the Royal Courts of Justice in London shortly after its unveiling. The artwork, which Banksy authenticated via an Instagram post captioned ‘Royal Courts Of Justice. London,’ appeared on Monday.
Security personnel wasted no time covering the piece with black plastic sheets and metal barriers, with officers guarding the site. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) confirmed the removal, citing the Royal Courts of Justice’s status as a 143-year-old listed building, requiring the preservation of its original character.
While Banksy’s intent remains unstated, activists have interpreted the mural as a powerful commentary on the UK government’s recent ban on the group Palestine Action. This follows a protest on Saturday where nearly 900 individuals were arrested while challenging the ban. Defend Our Juries, the protest’s organizers, stated that the mural ‘powerfully depicts the brutality unleashed’ by the government’s actions, adding that ‘When the law is used as a tool to crush civil liberties, it does not extinguish dissent, it strengthens it.’
The legal battle surrounding Palestine Action’s ban continues, with a High Court judge allowing an appeal to proceed, a decision now being challenged by the government. Banksy, known for his politically charged works, has a history of addressing issues such as migration and war through his art, with previous installations appearing in locations from Glastonbury Festival to the West Bank.
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