A mural created by the renowned street artist Banksy is set to be taken down from the wall of a courthouse in London.
The artwork first made its appearance on the outer wall of the Queen’s Building within the Royal Courts of Justice complex this past Monday.
It portrays a protester on the ground, clutching a placard smeared with blood, while a judge in traditional wig and robes towers over him, brandishing a gavel.
Since its unveiling, the piece has faced periods of concealment and has been monitored by security personnel. The HM Courts & Tribunals Service has confirmed its removal due to the building’s listed status, which offers it legal protection.
Banksy publicly acknowledged his authorship of the mural through an Instagram post featuring the artwork before it was obscured.
Some have interpreted the piece as a commentary on the arrest of numerous individuals supporting Palestine Action, who have been detained for displaying placards during protests.
The UK government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July, following incidents where activists caused damage to RAF aircraft.
This mural’s revelation comes shortly after the Lady Chief Justice, the highest-ranking judge in England and Wales, expressed mounting concerns regarding the safety of judges, citing a rise in “increasingly unacceptable sensationalist and misleading abuse.”
The artwork has been described as criminal damage, with investigations currently underway by the Metropolitan Police.
The courts service confirmed that it is legally required to preserve the integrity of the building because of its protected status.
Banksy’s distinctive stenciled works frequently critique government actions, war, and capitalism.
Last summer, he launched an animal-themed art campaign in London that consisted of nine pieces, culminating in a gorilla seemingly lifting a shutter at the entrance of the London Zoo.
Other significant creations included piranhas swimming on a police sentry box in the City of London and a howling wolf on a satellite dish that was removed from a Peckham shop’s roof less than an hour after it was revealed.
Banksy has also made notable contributions in the West Bank, including a “modified Nativity” scene at a Bethlehem hotel in December 2019, depicting the manger of Jesus in front of Israel’s separation barrier, which appeared to have been struck, forming the shape of a star.
