TAMPA, Fla. — Cities could face stiff penalties like withholding state funds if they don’t comply with new rules from the Florida Department of Transportation. The rules require cities to remove any non-compliant pavement markings. So, certain street murals and certain traffic control devices would be impacted.
For artist John Gascot, the possible removal of some of St. Pete’s murals is disheartening. In 2020, he said he didn’t hesitate when it was time to put paint to pavement for the Black Lives Matter mural. Years later, it was replaced by a Black History Matters mural.
“We tend to challenge the status quo with our work,” he said. “If you were lucky enough to see the making of the Black history matters which was first the Black Lives Matter mural, you will see every color, every background, coming together for one cause to support a community.”…