Legendary British street artist Banksy has unveiled a new work on the side of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The mural features a figure holding a blank placard being beaten by a judge wielding a gavel, and comes directly after the Metropolitan Police arrested over 850 people for breaking terror laws on 6 September at a protest against the proscription of non-violent direct action Palestine Action.
Approximately 1,500 people took part in the demonstration, organised by Defend Our Juries (DOJ), in London’s Parliament Square - making it one of the biggest acts of mass civil disobedience in British history. Those arrested included former and current NHS staff, an 83-year-old priest and a disabled RAF veteran.
A DOJ spokesperson said: “Banksy's work of art on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice powerfully depicts the brutality unleashed by Yvette Cooper on protestors by proscribing Palestine Action.
“When the law is used as a tool to crush civil liberties, it does not extinguish dissent – it strengthens it. As Banksy's artwork shows, the state can try to strip away our civil liberties, but we are too many in number and our resolve to stand against injustice cannot be beaten – our movement against the ban is unstoppable and growing every day.
“We hope everyone who is moved by Banksy’s inspiring work of art will join our next action, which will be announced soon.”
Since the controversial proscription came into force in July, more than 1,600 people have been arrested under terror legislation and over 70 have been charged.
Banksy’s artwork can be viewed on an external wall of the Queen's Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex.