The artist appears to have backed the climate change protests that took place in London this week
A suspected Banksy piece has been spotted in Marble Arch, London, where the Extinction Rebellion climate change protests have taken place over the last fortnight.
Support for Extinction Rebellion has reportedly quadrupled following their blockade in the capital, with the pressure group raising over £200,000 in two weeks thanks to an influx of new donations and volunteers.
It now appears that the notorious artist-at-large Banksy has thrown his weight behind the organisation after a stylistically similar graffiti artwork was discovered in Marble Arch, near the Extinction Rebellion base.
The art bears the image of a child holding the Extinction Rebellion emblem next to a small plant dug into the ground, along with the words: “From this moment despair ends and tactics begin.”
An hour ago this Banksy just appeared feet from where I was standing at Marble Arch. pic.twitter.com/zVqcNFSBxy
— Michael Taylor (@Michael_Taylor7) April 25, 2019
Wow. Thank you #Banksy for supporting @ExtinctionR. As rebels leave #MarbleArch heads held high, this piece appears in the central reserve. “From this moment despair ends and tactics begin” Be on the right side of history, join @ExtinctionR. #RebelForLife pic.twitter.com/ZeToJ1qxjm
— Occupy London (@OccupyLondon) April 25, 2019
#Bansky graced the rebellion 💚#ExtinctionRebellionLondon pic.twitter.com/TmB5dWIt8X
— Lydia Franklinos (@lydiafranklinos) April 25, 2019
Over 1,000 people were arrested by police over the course of the protests, which began on April 15. More than 10,000 police officers were deployed to control the demonstration and Met police say that 69 people have been charged.
“I think if people either wake up now and we start doing stuff straight away or it may be too late.”
Over 1,000 arrests have been made as police cleared out Extinction Rebellion protesters, but they think it is a cause worth risking a criminal record for. pic.twitter.com/A3fL3yjopJ
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) April 25, 2019