News Summary
Two pastors in St. Petersburg were arrested after staging a protest against the removal of the ‘Black History Matters’ mural by the Florida Department of Transportation. The pastors attempted to obstruct the removal by sitting in front of the mural, advocating for the importance of racial history and culture in the community. Their arrest follows a directive from FDOT, aligned with state policies aimed at limiting political statements on transportation facilities. The incident has sparked community outrage and plans for a peaceful demonstration to celebrate African American history.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Two pastors were arrested on Friday night after protesting the removal of the “Black History Matters” mural by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The controversial mural, which was located on 9th Avenue South, in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum, was removed under a directive by FDOT, citing state law concerning political statements on transportation facilities.
Rev. Andrew “Andy” Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church and Rev. Benedict Atherton-Zeman from the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg attempted to obstruct the removal by sitting on the mural itself. Despite being warned multiple times by law enforcement to vacate the area, the pastors remained in place. Their refusal led to their arrest on charges of pedestrian obstruction and hindering traffic.
After spending part of the night in custody, both pastors were released following the payment of a $500 bond. Their protest aimed not only to prevent the removal of the mural but also to advocate for the significance of recognizing African American history and culture within the community.
This action by FDOT followed a directive aligned with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s policies, which urges the removal of artworks considered unsafe or politically charged. The state policy emphasizes the need to keep transportation facilities clear of any political expressions, generating considerable controversy among community members and activists.
The Woodson African American Museum, which hosted the mural, issued a statement highlighting their commitment to honoring African American history despite the mural’s removal. Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg indicated the city felt compelled to comply with FDOT’s directive due to potential repercussions, including the loss of state funding for transportation projects.
In response to the mural’s removal, local activists and community members plan to organize a “Stand Up St. Pete” event. This gathering will focus on creating chalk art to celebrate Black history and serve as a peaceful demonstration against the FDOT’s decision. The event underlines the community’s determination to keep discussions about race, history, and heritage alive.
Prior to the removal, the city of St. Petersburg had made requests for exemptions concerning several murals, including the “Black History Matters” mural. However, these requests were denied by the FDOT. The situation reflects broader conversations happening across the state and the nation about art, freedom of expression, and the importance of acknowledging and commemorating diverse histories.
As debates continue regarding the role of public art and its intersection with community identity, the recent events in St. Petersburg highlight the tensions between state policies and local advocacy for historical recognition and cultural expression.
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Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
