News Summary
Two men were arrested in St. Petersburg during protests against the removal of the ‘Black History Matters’ mural. The removal follows a new law aimed at prohibiting political art in public spaces. Mayor Ken Welch has expressed the importance of such murals for community identity but chose not to challenge state authorities to avoid losing funding. Community leaders have raised concerns about the law’s impact on cultural expressions, as similar actions have occurred in other Florida cities.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Protests Lead to Arrests Over Mural Removal
Two men were arrested on Tuesday evening in St. Petersburg while protesting the removal of the “Black History Matters” mural on 9th Avenue South. Andrew Oliver, 45, and Benedict Atherton-Zeman, 59, attempted to block Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews who arrived around 8 p.m. to paint over the mural, which was ordered removed under a new legislative mandate.
The St. Petersburg Police Department reported that the men sat down in the road atop the mural in an effort to obstruct FDOT machinery. Police officers issued multiple warnings for Oliver and Atherton-Zeman to remove themselves from the roadway. Eventually, they were arrested and charged with pedestrian obstruction, hindering traffic, and obstruction.
This incident comes in connection with the FDOT’s enforcement of Senate Bill 1662, which was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in June. The new legislation prohibits the display of murals that may express political ideologies on transportation facilities. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue characterized the bill as a safety measure aimed at preventing roadway distractions that could potentially compromise the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
Supporters of the law argue that “non-standard surface markings,” including street artwork, can lead to misunderstandings on the road and hinder safety. Despite this, officials in St. Petersburg had sought exemptions for the “Black History Matters” mural and others, citing statistical data that indicated these forms of artwork did not pose a safety risk.
As part of the timeline surrounding this removal, cities were given a September 4 deadline to remove designated murals to avoid losing state transportation funding. City officials noted a significant reduction in traffic accidents at the intersection featuring the Common Ground mural, with data showing a 70% decrease over a three-year period.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has emphasized that such murals are essential expressions of community identity and values. However, he chose not to engage in a prolonged conflict with state authorities over the murals in fear of severe penalties, such as the loss of vital funding for the city.
Concerns over the state’s directive have been echoed by various community leaders, including Dr. Byron Green-Calisch of St. Pete Pride, who voiced worry about the impact this law may have on local cultural expressions. In response to the protests and subsequent media attention, Governor DeSantis reiterated the position that public roadways should not be used for political messages or artwork.
Mayor Welch has expressed his commitment to advocating for local expressions of culture and identity, suggesting that while murals may no longer be permitted, alternative avenues to represent community values could be explored in the future.
The removal of murals is not an isolated incident, as similar actions have already taken place in other cities in Florida. For instance, a rainbow crosswalk memorializing the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting was recently painted over in Orlando.
Looking ahead, the St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to meet in September to discuss strategies for future cultural expressions within the framework of state regulations.
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Additional Resources
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.
