Banksy’s Refugee Rescue Ship Gets Seized By Italian Authorities
Banksy, most known for his politically-charged and thought-provoking works, made headlines in 2019 by backing a recovery ship for refugees in the Mediterranean. The boat is a converted French navy vessel named the MV Louise Michel, after a 19th-century French feminist anarchist. It was funded by the artist, who also equipped it with a team of rescuers to aid those in need.
The side of the ship is adorned with Banksy’s signature art style featuring a young girl carrying a heart-shaped lifebuoy, drawing attention to the plight of refugees and the urgent need for action.
The MV Louise Michel set sail on its first mission in August 2020, saving many from dangerous and life-threatening situations at sea. Unfortunately, it has now been seized by the Italian authorities off the coast of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa. The vessel was ordered to head into the port of Trapani, where it was issued a notice to stay docked for the next 20 days after it violated a new law that prevented ships from performing multiple rescue trips.
According to Artnet News, the legislation comes under the new right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni to limit such missions by NGOs in the Mediterranean. Since the start of 2023, Italy has seen refugees arriving by boat increase threefold. Routes from Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans have since been blocked.
In response to being detained, the crew aboard the ship took to social media to state that 29 people had drowned off the coast of Tunisia while trying to get into the country. As such, it said that it “will take all necessary steps to fight this detention.”
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[via Artnet News and Reuters, cover image via MV Louise Michel]
