Banksy’s Migrant Ferry Vessel Impounded
28th March 2023
Most readers have probably heard of Banksy, the pseudonymous British graffiti artist who has been active on the hip art scene in England since the 1990s. Banksy’s street art is very trendy, and his graffiti works — some of which have required the removal of sections of wall where they were painted — are often sold at auction for millions of dollars.
Banksy is also an activist for various progressive causes, including that of the poor, poor Palestinians. In addition he has often expressed his sympathies for third-world Muslim immigrants.
Recently Banksy lent his artistic hand to the decoration of a refitted French naval vessel, the Louise Michel, which is now being used as a migrant-ferry boat. The artist lavished a lot of pink paint on the job, and included some of his signature stencils in the design.
Now the Louise Michel has been impounded by the Italian maritime authorities for hindering the coast guard in its performance of its duties. The bien-pensants are up in arms about this interference in their migrant operations, and have lodged protests with the Italian government.
The following Italian news video reports on the brouhaha over the Louise Michel.