Florida Street Mural 'Black History Matters' Repainted After State Removal

'Black History Matters' Mural Reappears

• 🎨 The words "Black History Matters" have been repainted on a St. Petersburg street, just days after state crews removed the original mural.
• 🏛️ The mural is located outside the Woodson African American History Museum.

State Initiative and Removal Efforts

• 🚫 State crews removed the mural as part of a state initiative to eliminate street art and political messages from public roadways.
• 👮 St. Pete police arrested two pastors, Ben Athetherton and Andy Oliver, for kneeling on the mural in prayer during its initial removal.
• 🚧 Florida State crews were seen paving over the road to remove the repainted message.

Community Response and Resistance

• 🙏 Pastor Ben Athetherton expressed gratitude for the repainting, calling it an "answered prayer."
• 🗣️ He stated, "This is not about safety. This is about eraser."
• 🏳️ The report mentions a similar situation in Orlando where a trooper was posted at the Pulse Memorial to prevent repainting of a Rainbow Road mural.
• 💰 Support has been offered for the pastors' legal expenses, with a request to instead donate to the Woodson Museum.

Official Stance on Street Art

• 🛣️ The governor is committed to preventing the "commandeering of the roads to put up messaging."
• 🏛️ The city of St. Pete requested exemptions for murals but complied with state orders to avoid risking funding.
• 💪 A sentiment of resistance is expressed: "The more he paves over our murals, the more they're going to be painted back because we can't be erased."