A provocative new mural by the celebrated, anonymous street artist Banksy, which appeared on the exterior wall of London’s iconic Royal Courts of Justice, has been removed by authorities. The artwork, believed to be a stark commentary on the United Kingdom’s crackdown on protest and free speech, was scrubbed from the historic building within days of its unveiling, sparking a heated debate that has captured national and international attention.
The Art and Its Immediate Context
The striking black-and-white mural, confirmed by Banksy himself via an Instagram post captioned “Royal Courts Of Justice. London.,” depicted a judge in a traditional wig and black gown wielding a gavel over a protester lying on the ground. The protester clutched a blood-splattered placard, the only splash of color in the piece, a detail that immediately drew parallels to recent political events. The artwork surfaced on September 7, 2025, just days after nearly 900 individuals were arrested at a demonstration in London protesting the UK government’s decision to proscribe the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
Removal Amid Heritage Protection and Controversy
His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), responsible for administering courts in England and Wales, swiftly moved to cover the artwork with black plastic sheeting and metal barriers, assigning security guards to monitor it. Citing the building’s status as a Grade II listed structure, HMCTS stated that it was “obliged to maintain its original character.” The removal process, involving chemical cleaning, commenced on September 9 and continued into the following day, leaving behind only faint traces of the image. This rapid decision to erase the artwork has been met with criticism, with the Good Law Project commenting on X, formerly Twitter, that “the court is erasing Banksy’s mural just like it’s erasing our right to protest.”
Background: Palestine Action Ban and Mass Arrests
The mural’s appearance and subsequent removal are intrinsically linked to the recent designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. This ban, enacted in July 2025, has drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations and civil liberties advocates who argue it unduly restricts freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The large-scale arrests at the September 6 demonstration, where protesters held signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” have been described by groups like Defend Our Juries as a “shocking demonstration of how the UK’s overly broad terrorism laws are being used to suppress free speech.” Reports indicate that over 1,600 people have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in relation to support for the group since the ban came into force.
Broader Implications: Free Speech and Dissent in the UK
The incident has amplified existing concerns about the UK’s evolving landscape of protest rights and freedom of speech. Critics argue that the broad definitions within counter-terrorism legislation, combined with measures like the Online Safety Act, create a “chilling effect” that discourages legitimate dissent. The Metropolitan Police have reportedly launched an investigation into the mural as an act of criminal damage, raising the hypothetical possibility that if charged, Banksy would be compelled to reveal his identity. The swiftness of the removal has led some to question whether the authorities sought to erase a powerful artistic critique that hit too close to home, particularly as the courts themselves have been involved in the legal proceedings surrounding the Palestine Action ban.
Public and Influential Reactions
Beyond activist circles, the removal has garnered significant attention. Elon Musk, owner of X, criticized the authorities’ actions, posting, “The more they try to cover it up, the more it will appear.” For many onlookers and fans of the artist, the mural’s disappearance from public view has been a source of disappointment. Despite its ephemeral nature, the artwork served as a potent symbol for those concerned about state power and civil liberties in the United Kingdom. The event has become a significant piece of news, highlighting the ongoing tension between artistic expression, protest, and the legal framework governing them in London.
Conclusion
Banksy’s mural outside the Royal Courts of Justice, though short-lived, has ignited a crucial public conversation. Its removal underscores the complexities of public art, heritage preservation, and the critical issues of protest rights and freedom of expression currently being debated across the UK. The questions raised by this incident — about the role of art as social commentary and the boundaries of dissent — are likely to resonate for some time, marking this event as a notable piece of news from London’s cultural and political scene.
