August 30th 2025.
Two Florida men have been making headlines recently for their actions that have been described as "good trouble," a term coined by the late Rep. John Lewis. The incident took place in St. Petersburg, Florida, where police accused the men of attempting to block a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crew from painting over a "Black History Matters" mural.
Reports from Fox 13 Tampa Bay stated that the men, identified as Andrew Oliver and Benedict Atherton-Zeman, intervened in the painting process by walking past the police officers and sitting down on the street, directly on top of the mural. According to police, the two were trying to prevent the FDOT machinery from moving forward. Despite repeated warnings from the officers, the men refused to move, resulting in their arrest and charges of pedestrian obstructing or hindering traffic and obstruction.
The reason behind their peaceful protest can be traced back to June when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1662 into law. This bill aimed to keep transportation facilities free from any political ideology. However, the city had requested an exception for certain murals, including a Pride mural and one at the University of South Florida, along with the "Black History Matters" mural outside the Woodson African American History Museum. The city provided crash data to prove that these murals did not pose any danger, but the FDOT denied the request.
In an August 25 press conference, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch urged residents to not react hastily to the decision from the state of Florida, as the city did not want to risk losing critical funding. He stated that the murals are more than just paint on pavement; they are a reflection of the community's identity and values. While disagreeing with the state's decision, Welch emphasized the need for a strategic response rather than a reactionary one.
According to CBS 12, other city leaders, such as Delray Beach Vice-Mayor Rob Long, have also spoken out against the removal of these murals, stating that it is not about public safety but rather a part of the Republican Party's culture war against diversity and inclusion. Long highlighted the targeting of Black Americans and LGBTQ+ individuals through the erasure of symbols of acceptance.
In conclusion, the incident involving the two Florida men has sparked a larger conversation about the importance of public art and the government's role in promoting diversity and inclusion. Despite the challenges faced, the city and its leaders remain committed to finding a strategic solution and standing up for their values. This is not the end of the story, and the fight for representation and inclusion will continue.
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