In reply to subtle:
I’m not sure I rate the statue very highly as a piece of art, but that is beside the point. Yes art has a place, whether publicly funded or privately as this statue appears to be.
Of course the protestors who probably think themselves caring left wing types are playing the same zero sum game as the right likes to do when it calls for public funding for all sorts of arts and cultural to be stopped (not the high art they enjoy obviously).
Art and culture can play a huge role in improving communities, increasing economic activity and providing jobs for those that can work and resources to support those that can’t. I’m obviously not saying that this statue has done that, but what was been the impact of the Eric Morecambe statue in Morecambe, what is the impact of Banksy on Bristol’s local economy?
I played a small part in erecting a public statue in my home town a couple of years ago, that has had a modest, but noticeable impact on the town.