Banksy mural of judge beating protester to be removed from outside London court

A new mural by elusive street artist Banksy showing a judge beating an unarmed protester with a gavel will be removed from a wall outside one of London’s most iconic courts, authorities said on Monday.

The mural appeared on Monday and depicts 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. Banksy posted a photo of the work on Instagram, his usual method of claiming a work as authentic. It was captioned “Royal Courts Of Justice. London”.

Security officials outside the courthouse covered the artwork on Monday with sheets of black plastic and two metal barriers, and it was being guarded by two officers and a security camera.

Because the Victorian building is 143 years old, the mural will be removed with consideration for its historical significance, according to HM Courts and Tribunals.

“The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character,” it said in a statement. Listed buildings are considered the country’s most significant historic buildings and sites and are protected by law.

While the artwork does not refer to a particular cause or incident, activists saw it as a reference to the UK government’s ban on the group Palestine Action. On Saturday almost 900 people were arrested at a London protest challenging the ban.