The Brief
- St. Pete City Council is beginning a formal process to review whether to remove street murals, including those celebrating Pride and Black History, due to a new Florida law regulating street art on public roads.
- The law, which took effect in July, mandates removal of artwork that does not comply with federal traffic guidelines — particularly pieces that include social or political messaging.
- Artists, advocates and community members are pushing back, saying the murals symbolize inclusion and unity — not distraction or danger.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The future of two St. Pete murals, one honoring Black history, the other Pride, is uncertain, as city leaders respond to new state and federal mandates targeting street art.
What we know:
St. Petersburg City Council passed a motion on Thursday to hold a formal discussion next month about how to handle the city’s street art amid growing pressure from state officials. The conversation is in response to a directive from the Florida Department of Transportation requiring municipalities to identify and potentially remove artwork on roadways that may violate federal traffic control guidelines.…