The city of St. Petersburg has installed 11 rainbow-colored bike racks in response to the Florida Department of Transportation’s removal of several street murals, including one with a Pride theme.
The rack was installed at Central Avenue and 25th Street in the Grand Central neighborhood, the site of one of five murals removed at the direction of federal and state authorities.
The mural at Central Avenue and 25th Street featured colored stripes representing the progressive Pride flag and was located right next to the Rydem Cowboy, one of the city’s most famous LGBTQ nightclubs and a “safe space” for the community, the statement said. florida politics.
Other murals targeted for removal included a black history themed mural, a mural featuring abstract geometric shapes, a brightly colored “Common Ground” mural, and a mural depicting a cross-like design above what appeared to be a target.
Local officials initially resisted removing crosswalks, even after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a directive requiring governors to remove road murals and artwork, including rainbow-colored crosswalks, as part of his “Safe Streets” initiative. Duffy claims that street art is a “distraction”, a claim disputed by some road safety research.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis subsequently issued an executive order requiring the removal of such street art. The Florida Department of Transportation has since paved the crosswalk and roadway and repainted it with traditional signs.
Following community outcry over the decision, city leaders, including St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, began exploring other ways to honor the lost artwork, ultimately settling on rainbow-colored bike racks, which would not be covered by DeSantis’ executive order or Duffy’s “Safe Streets” initiative.
Jordan Doyle Walsh, Welch’s chief of staff, told council members in an email that installing the bike racks is just one part of the city’s broader response to the removal of street murals.
“We intend this small gesture of participation and celebration to be a symbol of our resolve not to be silenced,” Walsh wrote.
The city posted a video on Instagram of workers installing bike racks with the message: “Pride on the streets! We just installed 11 Pride-inspired bike racks along Central Avenue and 25th Street. A vibrant way to honor the Pride Street mural that was removed earlier this year at the request of the state.”
“I love this,” one user commented. “Every action has a reaction. When bigots, racists and homophobes try to play their stupid games, we just take a step back, evaluate, regroup and come back stronger. We rise.” [with] Our LGBTQ friends. ”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
