Westminster woke up to a striking sight this past Friday: Sir Winston Churchill’s statue in Parliament Square was splattered with red paint and graffiti. Phrases like “Zionist war criminal,” “Stop the Genocide,” and “Free Palestine” covered the iconic bronze figure, sparking immediate clean-up efforts and a police investigation.
A 38-year-old man was swiftly arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and later for allegedly supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organization. The Dutch group “Free the Filton 24” soon claimed responsibility, with Olax Outis identifying himself as the person behind the act. Outis stated his motivation was to highlight “horrible human rights violations” and to hold the British government accountable, viewing Churchill as a symbol of “political corruption.”
The vandalism drew strong condemnation. The Greater London Authority expressed being “appalled,” while Downing Street branded it “completely abhorrent,” emphasizing Churchill’s status as a “great Briton” and insisting the perpetrator must face justice. The statue was quickly cordoned off for cleaning.
This isn’t the first time Churchill’s statue has been a canvas for protest. It was previously defaced during Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion demonstrations, reflecting its role as a visible symbol in ongoing public debates. The incident also brings into focus the controversy surrounding slogans like “Globalise the Intifada,” which police recently declared could lead to arrest. As London grapples with the aftermath, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense emotions and complex discussions surrounding historical figures and current global conflicts.
