Walmart accidentally incites an anti-capitalist revolution

Walmart’s attempt to make a quick buck off anti-capitalist images by street artist Banksy has backfired, with the artist’s publicist asking to have the items removed.

The retailer, controlled by the Waltons, had been selling canvases and t-shirts bearing the artist’s stenciled images through its website.

One image included a street vendor selling a t-shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Destroy Capitalism’.

In keeping with his anti-capitalist ethos, Banksy doesn't copyright his work, but his publicist said the Walmart items were counterfeit reproductions.

They have since been removed from Walmart’s website.

The retailer had also incorrectly labeled t-shirts and canvases with images by other street artists as being by Banksy.

Collectively the Walton family has a net worth of more than $100 billion, and the chain frequently comes under fire for the low wages it pays its employees.

In a statement, Walmart said it had bought the t-shirts from a third-party supplier, who in turn had bought them from a third-party manufacturer.