A mural of a judge beating a protester painted by world-renowned street artist Banksy on London’s High Court has been scrubbed off.<\/p>\n
The stencilled spray painting appeared on an exterior wall of the iconic Royal Courts of Justice on Monday.<\/p>\n
It depicted a protester lying on the ground holding a blood-splattered placard while a judge in a traditional wig and black gown beats him with a gavel.<\/p>\n
Unlike the elusive artist’s other provocative works that are sometimes stolen or carefully removed and displayed in galleries or sold at auction for millions, his latest mural was erased from the record on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The order to remove it came from court administrators because the 143-year-old Victorian Gothic revival style building is valued for its historical significance and must maintain its original character, a spokesperson told the Associated Press.<\/p>\n
Metropolitan Police said officers were investigating a complaint that the work was an act of criminal damage.<\/p>\n
Banksy’s spokesperson did not immediately return an email seeking comment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Banksy’s mural was painted after almost 900 people were arrested at a demonstration against a ban on Palestine Action. (Supplied: Banksy)<\/p>\n
The mural was quickly covered up after Banksy posted a photo of it on Instagram, his usual method of authenticating his work.<\/p>\n
The artist, who has never publicly revealed his identity, is known for criticising government policy on migration and war.<\/p>\n
While the artwork did not make overt reference to a particular event or cause, some activists saw it as a comment on the UK government’s ban on the group Palestine Action, which has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, almost 900 people were arrested at a London protest challenging the ban.<\/p>\n
The courthouse is home to the Court of Appeal and High Court, which have both weighed in on Palestine Action’s efforts to appeal the ban.<\/p>\n
Appellate judges initially rejected the organisation’s request to appeal, but a High Court judge then allowed it, though the government is challenging that decision.<\/p>\n
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