News Summary
Activists in St. Petersburg are organizing a Labor Day demonstration in response to the removal of murals by the Florida Department of Transportation. Community leaders and residents voice their outrage over the decision, seeing it as a suppression of artistic expression, particularly within traditionally liberal areas. The Governor’s emphasis on traffic regulations has sparked a larger national movement regarding civil rights and corporate influence, with many protests scheduled across Florida.
St. Petersburg – Activists in the Bay Area are organizing a Labor Day demonstration to protest the removal of murals from local crosswalks in St. Petersburg. The recent decision by the Florida Department of Transportation has sparked outrage among community members and local leaders alike, with four murals removed so far and one remaining on the premises.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) cited safety and traffic control device standards for the removals, stating that five murals did not comply with these regulations. Governor Ron DeSantis remarked that the state would not permit roadways to be commandeered for messaging, reinforcing the state’s stance on maintaining traffic regulations.
Currently, the Pride mural located on Central Avenue is the only piece remaining from this controversial initiative, which was designed to celebrate diversity and enhance community spirit. Local resident Isaac Holmes noted that the actions taken by the state send a message of control, particularly in an area traditionally considered politically liberal.
State Representative Michele Rayner has been vocal in her opposition to the legislation that allowed for the mural removals. She advocates for focusing on critical infrastructure issues rather than targeting artistic expressions in the community. Rayner has also criticized the Republican-led legislature for diverting attention from pressing problems faced by Florida residents.
In a notable incident earlier, two religious leaders, Reverend Andy Oliver and Reverend Ben Atherton-Zeman, were arrested for their civil disobedience while kneeling in front of the ‘Black History Matters’ mural. The police reported that the ministers were given multiple warnings to move before their arrests occurred. Representative Rayner, who is representing the arrested pastors, praised their actions as consistent with their faith traditions, recalling the courage of civil rights leaders throughout history.
Following their arrest, Oliver and Atherton-Zeman were released shortly thereafter. During a church service the following day, Oliver conveyed his belief that true faith may sometimes involve not adhering strictly to the law, particularly when advocating for justice.
The Labor Day demonstration planned for the Pride mural at Central Avenue and 25th Street North is expected to be part of a larger national movement. In addition to this local protest, another event titled “Workers Over Billionaires” aims to draw attention to issues of wealth disparity and the increasing influence of corporate power in American democracy. More than 50 protests are anticipated to occur across Florida on Labor Day, coordinated by a coalition led by May Day Strong and the AFL-CIO.
These protests follow other significant demonstrations in the region, including “Good Trouble Lives On” in July and “No Kings” in June. Activists emphasize the need for accountability and propose the establishment of a permanent national war room to monitor the influence of U.S. billionaires on democratic processes. May Day Strong has articulated that the protests aim to protect working families from the consequences of a growing “billionaire takeover” in democratic governance.
As the community gears up for Labor Day, the ongoing situation regarding the murals underscores broader themes of civil rights, artistic expression, and the role of government intervention in local culture. Activists continue to mobilize around these issues, illustrating the dynamic relationship between community values and state regulations.
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HERE Resources
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St. Petersburg Leaders Arrested Over Mural Removal
Pastors Arrested Protesting Mural Removal in St. Petersburg
Protest Erupts Over Mural Removal in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Residents Protest Removal of Street Murals
St. Petersburg, Florida: A Cultural Transformation
Clergy Arrested in St. Petersburg for Mural Protest
Protests Erupt as FDOT Moves to Paint Over Murals in St. Petersburg
Additional Resources
- WTSP News
- Wikipedia: Labor Day
- Florida Today
- Google Search: Labor Day Protests 2025
- WFLA News
- Google Scholar: Labor Day Protests
- VOA News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Workers’ Rights
- WDBO News
- Google News: May Day Protests
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.
