Two pastors were arrested in Saint Petersburg, Florida, after they knelt in prayer on a “Black History Matters” mural to protest its removal. Reverend Andrew Oliver and Minister Benedict Atherton-Zeman were taken into custody on Friday evening after refusing to leave the site when workers arrived to paint over the artwork.
The mural, painted in 2023 outside the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, was targeted for removal under Governor Ron DeSantis’ directive to eliminate “non-standard” road art. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce what it calls “distractions” on public roads.
Police asked the pastors to move, but they refused, leading to their arrest on a misdemeanor charge of resisting. Oliver told the Tampa Bay Times, “For me, living out my faith, resisting tyranny and fascism and white supremacy was the most important thing last night.” Atherton-Zeman said he could not “stand on the sidelines” while the mural was covered.
After the pastors were removed, the mural was painted over with black paint. They spent the night in Pinellas County jail before being released on $500 bond. Oliver later posted a photo at the site on Facebook, writing, “Black history still matters… even Ron’s paint couldn’t fully hide that truth.”
The “Black History Matters” mural is one of four street murals in St. Petersburg marked for removal. Other murals, including a rainbow tribute to Pulse nightclub shooting victims in Orlando, have also been removed. The Woodson museum expressed disappointment but affirmed its continued mission to educate about African American history and culture.
