Iconoclast

An Iconoclast is someone who supports deliberate destruction of religious icons. Usually this destruction comes with motives which are political or religious, an attempt to rebel and make a statement. Throughout history, in times of revolution or when a government was being overthrown iconoclastic actions were prevalent. Such instances include the French Revolution where revolutionaries destroyed a statue of King Louis XV, in retaliation to the throne. King Louis XVI was later guillotined in the same location. During the American Revolution the Sons of Liberty destroyed a statue of George III of England, pictured below, in a similar manner.

Rebellions of these types are a way of revolutionaries to show the power they have, which is often underestimated by their rulers. A modern example could be Andres Serrano's photo entitled Piss Christ, in which he depicts the crucifix submerged in urine.