Has a new Banksy artwork popped up in Blackburn?

Some residents think so after seeing a new piece of street art pop up in the town centre. The stencilled graffiti certainly fits the style of Banksy – whose real identity remains a mystery – as does the political message behind it. The new piece of art can be seen in Corporation Street in Blackburn town centre, opposite the old Chippery fish and chip shop, painted on the wall of the ramps to the Mall car park. It depicts a young girl painting on the wall, writing a quote by Ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. It reads: “Laws are silent in times of war,” with a $ dollar sign instead of the ‘s’ in ‘silent’ perhaps suggesting money plays a part in the alleged silence. The Zedsy painting in the town (Image: NQ staff) It is an interpretation of the Latin phrase ‘Inter arma enim silent leges’, which literally translates as “for among arms, the laws are silent”. In modern times, it is usually used to refer to when civil liberties are eroded during wartime, particularly against minority groups. One resident, Pete Moore, wondered if the art piece was by Banksy. He said: “On the retaining wall of the Mall car...