A new mural by the elusive artist Banksy that appeared outside London’s High Court yesterday is to be removed.
The artwork depicts a judge in a legal wig and dark robes about to strike his gavel onto an unarmed protester holding a bloodied sign.
Many interpreted the art as a comment on how the authorities have treated supporters of Palestine Action, a banned campaign group.
Banksy confirmed the piece is his on his Instagram, captioning it: ‘Royal Courts of Justice. London.’
But the stencilled graffiti will be removed after it was reported to the police as criminal damage.
The force said: ‘On Monday, officers received a report of criminal damage to the side of the Royal Courts of Justice. Inquiries continue.’
When or how the mural will be removed is unclear.
The court boarded up the artwork with sheets of plastic and two metal barriers by midday yesterday.
Court service officials said they are ‘obliged’ to maintain the character of the 19th-century building because of its Grade I-listed status.
It was positioned underneath a CCTV camera overlooking one side of the Royal Courts of Justice, facing away from the mural.
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Joe Syer, the founder of MyArtBroker, a Banksy brokerage, previously told Metro that the piece is ‘classic Banksy’ as it’s so provocative.
He added: ‘At a moment when questions of protest and free speech are dominating headlines, this work feels both timely and provocative – [it’s] a reminder of how Banksy uses street art to distil complex issues into images that resonate globally.’
Palestine Action was dubbed a terrorist group on the same legal footing as Al Qaeda in July after two of its members broke into a military base.
They damaged planes by spraying them with red paint to protest the military support for Israel amid its war in Gaza.
The co-founder of Palestine Action is now waging a legal battle in the High Court against the government’s decision. The government argued that the group crossed the legal threshold for terrorism.
On Saturday, nearly 900 people were arrested during a protest supporting the group.
Many sat peacefully on the grounds outside Parliament, Metro saw, carrying signs reading: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.’
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