A new mural by street artist Banksy at London’s Royal Courts of Justice was quickly covered and guarded by security, hours after the artist posted it on Instagram on September 8.
The artwork depicts a judge using a gavel to strike a protester, who lies on the ground holding a white sign marked with red splash patterns resembling blood. Banksy confirmed the piece’s authenticity via his Instagram account, which has over 13.3 million followers.
Locals and media have linked the mural to recent pro-Palestine protests in London. On September 6, almost 900 demonstrators were detained during a protest against the banning of the group Palestine Action. Matteo, a local resident, told The Guardian he believed the cover-up reflected authorities’ fear of public reaction.
Security personnel were seen blocking views of the mural, while forensic police photographed the site. The artwork appeared on the wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice.
Banksy’s politically charged works have previously drawn global attention, and this latest piece continues the artist’s tradition of highlighting social and political issues through street art.
