New Banksy Piece Targets Justice System Shortly After ‘Palestine Action’ Ban Fallout

By Danial Martinus • 09 Sep 2025 in Art

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

Commuters in Central London stumbled across a new Banksy mural plastered across the Queen’s Building at London’s Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, 8 September.

But just as quickly as it had been put up, authorities almost instantly scrambled to cover it up.

Convenient timing

The piece, later confirmed by Banksy himself on Instagram with a typically short caption (just the location), shows a judge in full ceremonial garb, hammering down on a protestor with his gavel.

The impact sends a splash of blood across the protester’s placard, a grim but unmistakable commentary on the clash of state power and public dissent.

Though the mural doesn’t exactly spell anything out, the timing is extremely difficult to ignore. Just two days before, nearly 900 people were arrested in Parliament Square during demonstrations against the government’s ban of Palestine Action, a British pro-Palestine activist group.

So it’s no surprise that critics are already linking Banksy’s new work to the crackdown, which saw peaceful protesters voicing out against the genocide in Gaza.

Out of sight, but not out of mind

Two guards stand watch in front of the now-hidden Banksy mural at the Royal Courts of Justice. (source: BBC)

According to the BBC, the mural was quickly hidden behind sheets of plastic and cordoned off with metal fencing, with two security guards placed on watch.

But this swift and calculated attempt to stifle the artwork has only amplified its message. It shows that the institution is uncomfortable with being reflected back on paint, for the passing public to see.

This is classic Banksy territory. For more than 20 years, the elusive Bristol-based artist has thrived on putting politically charged art in places that make their target audience uncomfortable.

The image is out there now, so it doesn’t really matter that it’s all covered up.

And maybe that’s the point: in a climate where public protest is being met with increasing hostility, Banksy has offered up a blunt reminder of what power looks like when it comes down hard on anything that defies its agenda.

For more pop culture, head to JUICE Malaysia.