Two pastors were arrested Friday night in St. Petersburg, Florida, after attempting to prevent state crews from painting over a street mural outside the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, according to police.
The Florida Department of Transportation began covering up the Black History Matters mural around 8 p.m., police said. About 15 minutes later, Rev. Andy Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church and Benedict Atherton-Zeman, a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church, sat down on the mural in an effort to block the machinery. Police stated that officers warned both men to move but they refused and were subsequently arrested for obstruction and obstructing or hindering traffic as pedestrians. They were booked into Pinellas County Jail and released on cash bond early Saturday.
The mural was ultimately covered by state crews.
Both pastors told The Tampa Bay Times that they knelt on the mural and prayed before being carried away by officers and handcuffed. “For me, living out my faith, resisting tyranny and fascism and white supremacy was the most important thing last night,” Oliver said. “I had to do what I had to do.” Atherton-Zeman added, “I said I’m just going to stay here and pray until my prayers are answered.”
This incident comes amid a statewide initiative in Florida to remove non-compliant street art from roadways following a directive issued last month requiring all roads be made uniform by September 4. The memo instructed local governments to eliminate street art deemed not compliant with state regulations in order to keep roads “free and clear of political ideologies.” St. Petersburg’s request for an exemption for five murals was denied by state officials; city leaders then announced they would comply with the order rather than risk losing state funding.
Mayor Ken Welch addressed residents earlier this week, saying city attorneys advised there was no viable legal path forward against the state’s decision. He encouraged people to visit mural sites and take photos but urged them: “Obey the law. Don’t take the bait.” In a statement through a spokesperson following Friday’s arrests, Welch reiterated his position: “As I stated previously-blocking roadways and intersections is illegal under Florida law,” he said. “Be smart and protest in alignment with the law.”
On Friday night, state crews also painted over other murals including a University of South Florida-themed crosswalk at USF St. Petersburg’s campus and a geometric design at an intersection in Childs Park neighborhood. According to police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez, another colorful intersection called “Common Ground” at Central Avenue and Fifth Street was covered overnight as well.
Of the five identified murals set for removal in St. Petersburg, only one remains: the progressive pride mural at Central Avenue and 25th Street.
A community event called #StandUpStPete is scheduled there Sunday where residents are invited to create chalk art near intersections surrounding the remaining mural.
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