A new mural by the elusive street artist Banksy, depicting a judge beating an unarmed protester, appeared outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice. The artwork, confirmed by Banksy via Instagram, has since been covered and will be removed due to the building’s historical status. Activists have interpreted the piece as a commentary on the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action, while the artist’s work often critiques political issues. Banksy’s pieces, which often appear unexpectedly, are well-known for their powerful social and political messages.
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Two pastors were arrested in St. Petersburg for attempting to block FDOT crews from removing the “Black History Matters” mural. Despite repeated warnings, Andrew Oliver and Benedict Atherton-Zeman sat on the mural in protest of FDOT’s order to remove street art across the state, leading to their arrest on charges of obstructing traffic and obstruction. This action comes after the city of St. Petersburg’s request to preserve several murals, including the “Black History Matters” piece, was denied by FDOT, which cited safety concerns related to state traffic control guidelines and the recently signed Senate Bill 1662. Local officials and community members are strategizing their response to the mural removals, while the governor and FDOT continue to uphold the statewide order.
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John Q. Hosedrinker