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Providence mayor calls for removal of Iryna Zarutska mural, says intent is 'divisive,' 'misguided'

  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley requested removal of an outdoor mural depicting slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska from The Dark Lady, an LGBTQ+ bar, condemning the artwork as "divisive" and "misguided."
  • Iryna Zarutska, a refugee from Ukraine, was murdered on a train in North Carolina last summer; Elon Musk and Andrew Tate funded a national initiative to paint murals of the victim, which artist Ian Gaudreau said aimed to humanize her.
  • Rhode Island state Rep. David Morales agreed with Smiley, arguing a "right-wing movement" is exploiting the death to spread division, contending the mural does not reflect "Providence's values."
  • Following the criticism, The Dark Lady announced it will remove the mural, apologizing for the situation and reiterating its commitment to unity and inclusivity within Providence.
  • President Donald Trump hosted victim's mother Anna Zarutska at the 2026 State of the Union address, recounting her death; the tragedy also prompted "Iryna's Law" in North Carolina.
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WJAR broke the news in on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
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