Elon Musk criticizes the removal of Banksy's mural from the British Royal Courts of Justice, saying the more they cover it "the more it will appear"

Latest Banksy Mural Covered And Guarded By Security At The Royal Courts Of Justice - Source: Getty
Latest Banksy mural covered and guarded by security at the Royal Courts Of Justice (Image via Getty Images)

Elon Musk recently criticized the removal of Banksy's latest political mural, which appeared on the Queen's Building's external wall at the Royal Courts of Justice complex on September 8, 2025. The mural depicted a judge, adorned in a wig and gown, raising his gavel to beat a protester lying at his feet. The protester was seen holding a blood-splattered placard.

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While the elusive artist took credit for the artwork via his Instagram page, he did not comment on the inspiration behind his latest mural. According to the BBC, activists have interpreted the mural to be a reference to the U.K. government's ban on the group Palestine Action. On September 6, 2025, the Metropolitan Police arrested nearly 900 protestors after they rallied against the ban in London.

On September 8, 2025, Elon Musk took to X to express his opinion about the cover-up and subsequent removal of the Banksy mural, writing:

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"The more they try to cover it up, the more it will appear."
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Banksy's mural was reportedly removed to "maintain" the "original character" of the Royal Courts of Justice

Banksy's latest artwork on an external wall of the British Royal Courts of Justice was first spotted on September 8, 2025. Additionally, the artist posted pictures of the mural on his Instagram page with the caption, "Royal Courts Of Justice. London." Hours after its appearance, the mural was sealed off with metal sheets and guarded by security.

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The Banksy mural covered and guarded at The Royal Courts of Justice (Image via Getty Images)
The Banksy mural covered and guarded at The Royal Courts of Justice (Image via Getty Images)

On September 9, 2025, videos of workers attempting to remove the Banksy mural were circulated on social media. According to AP News, the HM Courts and Tribunals stated that the court building was a "listed building," a term used to describe structures protected by the law for historic significance.

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In a statement addressing the artwork, a spokesperson for the HM Courts and Tribunals continued that the mural must be removed to maintain the structure's "original character," saying:

“The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character."
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According to the BBC, the Metropolitan Police is currently investigating the mural, stating that "inquiries continue" after it received a report of "criminal damage." The mural is presumed to be inspired by the U.K. government's decision to ban Palestine Action under its terrorism legislation and the subsequent protest, which resulted in close to 900 arrests.

Defend Our Juries, the organization behind the recent protest, had alleged that the Metropolitan Police "violently assault[ed] peaceful protesters including the elderly, in order to try and arrest over a thousand people for holding cardboard signs. Furthermore, the organization also commented on Banksy's mural via a press statement, saying:

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"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.”

Known to the public by his moniker Banksy, the anonymous artist gained fame for his artwork focusing on politics and war. Believed to be from Bristol, United Kingdom, the artist has concealed his identity for over 25 years. His first known large stencil mural, titled The Mild Mild West, appeared in Bristol in 1999, featuring a teddy bear hurling a Molotov cocktail at three police officers.

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The Mild Mild West in Bristol (Image via Getty Images)
The Mild Mild West in Bristol (Image via Getty Images)

His famous murals include Girl with Balloon (2002) and Flower Thrower (2003). His most recent artwork, spotted in Marseille in May 2025, features a stencil of a lighthouse with the words, "I want to be what you saw in me."

Edited by Juhi Marzia
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