A new mural by elusive street artist Banksy has appeared on the side of the Royal Courts of Justice building in central London.
While the mural does not reference a particular cause or incident, its appearance comes two days after almost 900 people were arrested at a London protest against the ban on Palestine Action.
A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals said that the Royal Courts of Justice was a listed building and that it was “obliged to maintain its original character”.
The spot Banksy chose was on an external wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex, on the usually quiet Carey Street.
The artist captioned the picture: “Royal Courts Of Justice.
On the side of the Royal Courts of Justice building in central London, there is a new mural by the elusive street artist Banksy.
It shows a protester on the ground being struck by a judge wearing a black robe and a traditional wig, splattering their placard with blood.
The mural appears two days after nearly 900 people were arrested at a protest in London against the ban on Palestine Action, despite the fact that it makes no mention of any specific cause or incident.
Barriers made of metal and large sheets of plastic quickly covered the artwork. Court representatives assured the BBC that the piece would be taken down.
Investigations will continue, the Metropolitan Police said after receiving a report of criminal damage.
The Royal Courts of Justice was “obliged to maintain its original character” as a listed building, according to a representative for HM Courts and Tribunals.
On the typically calm Carey Street, Banksy selected a location on the exterior wall of the Queen’s Building, which is a component of the Royal Courts of Justice complex. On Monday it was busy with onlookers taking pictures of the recently hidden patch of wall.
Two security guards outside the building said, “At least it’s not raining,” but they were unsure of how long they would have to stand watch. “,”.
In keeping with Banksy’s custom of claiming a piece as authentic, the street artist from Bristol posted a picture of the wall art on Instagram. “Royal Courts of Justice,” the artist wrote as the picture’s caption. London. . “,”.
Without mentioning which laws she was referring to, Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman stated that she thought the piece was a “protest about the law.”.
She went on to say, “Judicial judges only interpret the law; Parliament makes the law.”. Regarding the right to protest, I don’t believe there is any proof that judges have been suppressing demonstrations more severely than Parliament intended. “.”.
Frequently, Banksy’s stenciled graffiti criticizes capitalism, war, and government policies.
The artist launched an animal-themed campaign in the capital of nine works last summer, culminating with a gorilla opening a shutter on the London Zoo’s entrance.
Other noteworthy pieces were a howling wolf on a satellite dish that was removed from the roof of a store in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled, and piranhas swimming on a police sentry box in the City of London.
The London Zoo takes Banksy’s artwork out for “safekeeping.”.
The removal of a street sign in Peckham is being investigated by police as possible theft.
The London Museum will be the new home for Banksy’s piranhas.
Banksy has previously gained recognition for his artwork in the West Bank.
He made a “modified Nativity” in December 2019 at a hotel in Bethlehem that featured Jesus’ manger in front of Israel’s separation barrier, which looked as though it had been pierced by a blast and formed a star.
The barrier is a tool used to seize land, according to Palestinians, while Israel claims it is necessary to stop infiltrations from the West Bank.
