'Good Trouble': St. Pete Mayor Encourages Residents to Show Support for Street Murals

'Our response will be strategic': Ken Welch can't save the street murals, but he will fight back

'We will build back stronger, and we will create new, even more powerful expressions of who we are.'

St. Pete mayor says city won’t be silenced — but also won’t fight for murals

St. Pete Pride President Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and City Council member Copley Gerdes at St. Pete City Hall on August 25, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)ST. PETERSBURG – St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch vowed Monday, amid a dispute over street murals depicting Gay Pride colors and other themes, that his city will “build back stronger” and create “even more powerful expressions of who we are.” However,…

'Good trouble': St. Pete mayor encourages residents to show support for street murals

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch spoke out against the removal of painted crosswalks and street murals throughout the city on Monday. The Florida Department of Transportation sent a letter to the city last week ordering the removal of pavement markings at five intersections, setting a deadline of September 4. Welch said the move is an attempt by state and federal officials to silence the voices of St. Pete residen…

St. Pete mayor pushes back on murals but will comply with removals

Mayor Ken Welch said the targeted murals are an integral part of St. Petersburg, but he also said that the city will comply with their removal.

St. Pete officials stress strategy over reaction in response to FDOT’s decision not to protect city murals

On Monday, officials with the city of St. Petersburg said they would be strategic and not reactionary regarding the Florida Department of Transportation to deny the city’s request to keep several pieces of artwork on its roadways, and they encouraged residents to do the same.

St. Pete officials will comply with FDOT's request to remove street murals and colorful crosswalks

St. Petersburg officials said they will comply with FDOT's request to remove five street murals.The Florida Department of Transportation sent a letter to city officials identifying five noncompliant locations.St. Petersburg officials were asked to remove the Progressive Pride Street Mural at 25th Street & Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.WATCH: St. Pete officials will comply with FDOT's request to remove street murals and colorful crosswalks St.…