A Banksy Pigeon Mural Was Buffed From a Boathouse After Complaints That it Was "Offensive and Racist"

The humor in Banksy's mural was clearly wasted on the people of Clacton-on-Sea.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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A year ago today, street artist Banksy started his New York City residency "Better Out Than In," and by the end of the month many of his pieces had been vandalized or taken from the walls and doors that they were painted on. Over in a town called Clacton-on-Sea in England, another of the artist's murals has been buffed, but for a completely different reason.

According to the Essex County Standard, the cheeky mural was painted on a boathouse wall owned by the Tendring District Council this week because of upcoming by-elections that could result in a member of the anti-EU party UKIP being elected to Parliament. The mural features pigeons holding signs that read "MIGRANTS NOT WELCOME," "GO BACK TO AFRICA," and "KEEP OFF OUR WORMS," all directed toward what the publication identifies as an African swallow.

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The council received complaints that said that the mural was both "offensive" and "racist" and decided to take action. "The site was inspected by staff who agreed that it could be seen as offensive and it was removed this morning in line with our policy to remove this type of material within 48 hours," said Nigel Brown, communications manager for the council. Brown added that the council would "obviously welcome an appropriate Banksy original on any of our seafronts and would be delighted if he returned in the future." 

We somehow doubt that he will take them up on that offer.

[via BBC News]

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