logoalt Hacker News

nickthegreekyesterday at 8:39 PM3 repliesview on HN

> engineered pro-establishment viral messaging

I don’t understand this. What speaks pro-establishment in this piece?


Replies

chromayesterday at 10:09 PM

It was installed in the middle of a street owned by the government. Police are guarding it to prevent vandalism or removal. Both the Westminster City Council and the Mayor of London have praised the statue and called for it to be preserved.[1][2]

If the man holding the flag had been wearing a thawb instead of a suit, I think the establishment's response would be quite different.

1. From https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y9wlnwl85o "We're excited to see Banksy's latest sculpture in Westminster, making a striking addition to the city's vibrant public art scene. While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy."

2. From https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/world/europe/banksy-londo... "Banksy has a great ability to inspire people from a range of backgrounds to enjoy modern art. His work always draws great interest and debate, and the mayor is hopeful that his latest piece can be preserved for Londoners and visitors to enjoy."

teekertyesterday at 8:49 PM

If one can read this as pro-establishment, it's proof that the the art is indeed not so obvious as suggested above :)

show 1 reply
pirate787yesterday at 10:07 PM

In the UK the establishment is generally unsettled by the display of the English flag.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/29/uk/st-george-flag-england...