Confronting Bodies: West Midlands Police Officers and Council in Birmingham, UK
Date of Action: February 26 2009
Specific Location: Front of a building in Alum Rock, Birmingham, UK
Description of Artwork: Graffiti mural painting with the words "Free Gaza" painted over a fence, a bloody hand waving the Palestine flag.
Description of Incident: The West Midlands police sandblasted the mural from Sergeant orders and after also receiving permission from building owner. It was removed "for fear it would trigger racial violence." According to the DailyMail, "the decision was taken to remove the image following a 'risk assessment' they had carried out."
Results of Incident: Ali met with police staff to discuss the removal.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1157721/Award-winning-artists-anti-war-mural-scrubbed--fear-violence.html
Submitted By: Teresa Koberstein, NCAC