On Monday, Banksy shared a photo of his latest artwork painted on the wall of the Royal Courts of Justice. Not long after, the piece was covered up. The Guardian
A new Banksy mural appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice in London early Monday. The piece showed a judge striking a protester with a gavel. The protester lay on the ground holding a white placard marked with a red stain resembling blood. The artist confirmed the work by posting an image of it on Instagram.
Rapid Cover-Up
By mid-morning, security guards arrived to block public access. Witnesses said they stopped passersby from photographing the painting. Soon after, staff brought materials to cover the mural. Guards screened the site as people on bicycles stopped to question them.
Matteo, a local worker, said he saw guards around 8:30 a.m. “I think it’s disgusting that they would just cover it up,” he said. Matteo had also seen police arrest protesters during a pro-Palestine demonstration two days earlier.
Protest Context
The mural appeared days after police detained nearly 900 people at a London protest against the banning of the activist group Palestine Action. Many observers linked the artwork to those events.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, which opposed the ban, said the mural carried a strong message. “When the law is used as a tool to crush civil liberties, it does not extinguish dissent – it strengthens it,” the spokesperson said. “As Banksy’s artwork shows, the state can try to strip away our civil liberties, but we are too many in number and our resolve to stand against injustice cannot be beaten.”
Court Response
Officials explained why the mural was covered. A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said the court must preserve its historic buildings. “We are obliged to maintain its original character,” the spokesperson stated.
The Queen’s Building, where the mural appeared, dates back to 1964. It is a Grade II-listed site, which means it has legal protection due to its architectural and historical value.
Banksy’s Political Edge
Banksy, whose identity remains unknown, often paints political subjects. His work has appeared on the separation wall built by Israel along the occupied West Bank. In May, he shared an image of a mural in Marseille. That piece showed a lighthouse with the words: “I want to be what you saw in me.”
Instagram Reveal
The Instagram photo confirming the London mural showed a lawyer and a cyclist passing by the fresh artwork. This added another layer of symbolism to the scene outside the Royal Courts.
Public Reaction
Reactions remain divided. Supporters call the mural a bold statement about justice and freedom. Critics argue the historic site must remain untouched. For now, the painting stays hidden under covers, sparking ongoing debate.
