Banksy mural of judge beating protester at Royal Courts of Justice in London to be removed

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News/AP

September 8, 2025 / 4:00 PM EDT


Banksy, the famously anonymous street artist, unveiled a new mural at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday. Shortly after, authorities said it would be removed.

The mural is of a judge appearing to beat a protester lying on the ground with a gavel. The protester is holding a blank sign with splattered red paint, seemingly depicting blood.

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."


Undated photo released by Banksy of the new artwork by the artist which portrays a judge beating a protester with a gavel at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Banksy / AP

Security officials outside the courthouse covered the artwork 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 gothic revival style building is 143 years old, the mural will be removed with consideration for its historical significance, according to HM Courts and Tribunals.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/banksy-new-mural-london-royal-courts-judge-beating-protester/

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Should have been painted here!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Well 1 hour after the new banksy was revealed, the courts censored it by covering it up...

Link to tweet

[Miguelito Loveless]

10. If only I were in London

I would print out the image on a poster, and stand in front of the cops.

[dweller]

2. If he had painted it here

ICE would have rounded him up and deported him to CECOT

✌🏻

[madamesilverspurs]

3. Well, after today,

that picture could be painted here with John Roberts wielding the gavel.


.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. +infinity

and another +infinity for that sig graphic! May steal it!

[madamesilverspurs]

5. Thanks

And please feel free to 'steal' the sig graphic!

[riversedge]

8. whow. But you are right!

[EarthFirst]

6. Awww; did that hit someone in the feels?

The margins of the building facade have deteriorating stonework and weeds protruding from them…

They could care less about this historical significance based on the lack of preventative maintenance.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Hmm - HM Courts and Tribunals are telling porkies about the building age, I think

"the Victorian gothic revival style building is 143 years old"? I think not. Other reports identify it as a wall of the Queen's Building, built in 1968, and I think that's correct:



https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1469797

Grade II listed, since 2020.

[LudwigPastorius]

9. I love that he painted that right beneath a surveillance camera.