News Summary
Two men were arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, after they tried to obstruct the removal of the ‘Black History Matters’ mural. As the Florida Department of Transportation initiated the removal, Andrew Oliver and Benedict Atherton-Zeman sat on the mural despite multiple warnings from police. Their actions raised concerns over new state legislation that mandates the removal of political murals, igniting local debates about community expression and state regulations.
St. Petersburg Man Arrested for Blocking “Black History Matters” Mural Removal
Two men were arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 29, 2025, after attempting to obstruct the removal of a “Black History Matters” mural. Andrew Oliver, 45, and Benedict Atherton-Zeman, 59, were taken into custody as crews from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) arrived to paint over the mural located on 9th Avenue South, near 22nd Street South.
The incidents unfolded just after 8:00 PM when the FDOT teams began their work. Approximately 15 minutes later, Oliver and Atherton-Zeman reportedly walked past police officers and sat down on the mural in an effort to block the FDOT machinery from proceeding. Despite being warned multiple times by law enforcement to vacate the area, the two men remained in place, ultimately leading to their arrest. They were charged with pedestrian obstruction/hindering traffic and obstruction.
Context of the Mural Removal
This situation is emblematic of a broader controversy surrounding a new state law, known as Senate Bill 1662, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in June 2025. The law mandates the removal of what it describes as “non-standard surface markings,” which includes various murals representing political ideologies. The legislation has drawn significant attention and criticism, particularly from communities that value these murals as forms of expression and identity.
The city of St. Petersburg had previously expressed a desire to retain the “Black History Matters” mural, along with other street paintings, as part of their cultural landscape. This request, however, was rejected by the FDOT, which asserted that compliance with the new law was necessary to ensure traffic safety.
The Mayor’s Response
St. Petersburg’s Mayor Ken Welch has articulated a commitment to uphold community expression and the values represented by these murals. He has highlighted the importance of these artistic expressions as integral to the city’s identity and heritage. The outcomes of the FDOT’s mandate pose a significant threat to millions in state funding, compelling city officials to navigate the challenging balance of complying with state regulations while trying to preserve local cultural landmarks.
City officials provided data indicating that specific street murals had a beneficial effect on traffic safety. After the installation of these murals, there was a marked reduction in crash incidents, leading to a belief that removing them would negatively impact community safety. In light of this data and the community’s support for murals, Mayor Welch has confirmed that the city will not directly remove the murals. Instead, should the murals need to be taken down, the city plans to reimburse the FDOT for the removal costs.
Conclusion
The arrests of Oliver and Atherton-Zeman underscore the tension between state laws and local community values in St. Petersburg. As the city navigates its compliance with state mandates, it remains to be seen how these actions will impact its cultural identity and community safety in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Protests Erupt in St. Petersburg Over Mural Removal
FDOT Orders Removal of Street Art Murals in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Mayor Fights FDOT’s Mural Removal Order
FDOT Orders Removal of Street Murals in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Will Not Challenge Florida’s Mural Ban
FDOT Orders Removal of Pride and Black History Murals
Community Outcry as FDOT Denies St. Petersburg Mural Request
St. Petersburg Faces State Mandate to Remove Street Murals
Controversy Erupts Over Street Murals in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg City Council Under Pressure Over Murals
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Street Art
- WTSP News
- Google Search: Black History Matters mural St. Petersburg
- WFLA News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Visual Art
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Google News: St. Petersburg mural removal
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.
