Bristol graffiti artist Banksy has created a poster of a Tesco Value petrol bomb to raise money for the legal fees of protestors who rioted against the opening of a new Tesco store.
Banksy’s picture of a Tesco Value petrol bomb – a glass bottle stuffed with a flaming rag – appeared on the Banksy Forum and his official website.
A statement issued on Banksy’s behalf said: “After the recent Tesco riots in Bristol, Banksy has produced this fine commemorative souvenir poster. All proceeds go to the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft.”
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Bristol to protest after a police raid on a squat called ‘Telepathic Heights’ in the Stokes Croft area on April 21.
300 people were thought to be defending the squat and a further 1,000 were caught up in the riot. 160 police officers, many in riot gear, were involved.
Petrol bombs were apparently found in the squat, which police insist were to be used on the controversial new Tesco store which had opened opposite six days before.
After the discovery of the bombs, Tesco has now closed its new Express branch in the largely independent area of Bristol.
Copies of the poster will be available to buy for £5 from Bristol’s Anarchist Bookfair on Saturday at 80 Hamilton House, Stokes Croft.
Go Banksy!
