The council of Clacton-on-Sea in England has erased a Banksy mural, unaware it was the creation of the prominent artist, after receiving a complaint that it was racist.
A cleaning team erased the mural picturing five pigeons on what looks like an electric cable with posters against immigration aimed at a much more exotic African bird.
"Migrants not welcome", "Go back to Africa" and "Keep off our worms" are the banners that the home pigeons direct to the exotic bird, with the satirical style of Banksy, who later confirmed on his website that it is his work.
A city spokeswoman said the graffiti was removed due to a complaint that it was "offensive" and "racist", a view shared by the municipal council as well.
After learning that the mural was a Banksy work, with an estimated value of nearly $650,000, the City Council regretted having lost what would have been a tourist attraction.
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"We would obviously welcome an appropriate Banksy original on any of our seafronts and would be delighted if he returned in the future," said the spokesman.
Banksy, who is keen to keep his identity unknown, is thought to come originally from Bristol (West of England), and is known for his black satire in murals and graffiti displayed by surprise anywhere in the world.
