ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The vibrant rainbow street mural in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, a symbol of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, has become a target for vandals just days before the commencement of Pride Month. This act of defacement has left some locals disheartened and concerned about the safety of the community.
The St. Petersburg Police Department received a report of tire marks on the mural, located on Central Avenue and 25th Street, last Friday. An officer was dispatched to investigate the incident, which is now an ongoing open investigation. Unfortunately, just a few days later, another incident occurred when someone performed donuts on the mural, causing further damage. Surveillance footage from a nearby bar captured the act in the early hours of Wednesday morning, around 2:45 a.m.
Lee Manuel, owner of Cocktail St. Pete, a bar situated near the mural, expressed his disappointment at the repeated acts of vandalism. He revealed that the mural had recently been restored in anticipation of Pride Month, as is done every year. The defacement was particularly disheartening considering the significance of the mural in the local community.
“The first instance was really disheartening, knowing it was just recently repainted and the symbol that it is for the community here,” Manuel said. “Hearing about it happening again… was just unbelievable.”
In light of these incidents, Manuel plans to implement increased security measures at his bar during Pride Month. These acts of vandalism coincide with a warning issued by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security regarding possible targeting of LGBTQIA+-related events and venues by foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters during the upcoming Pride Month.
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“This raises awareness to everybody in the community that we need to be diligent,” Manuel emphasized. We need to be focused and pay attention to what’s happening outside and who’s doing that. If you see something that looks wrong, say something. Reach out. Call the police. Let them know. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
While saddened by the incidents, Manuel remains optimistic about St. Pete’s inclusive and accepting nature. As a lifelong resident with deep roots in the community, he believes that these acts of vandalism are the actions of a few individuals and not representative of the city as a whole.
“It’s unfortunate, and having been a lifelong resident born and raised here, my family has been in St. Pete for 110 years, it’s not the St. Pete that I knew when I grew up here,” Manuel lamented. “Again, a lot of things have changed, but it’s still a great community to live in. It’s a very accepting and inclusive community. I just think there’s a few bad actors.”
As a precautionary measure, several businesses in the vicinity of the mural have redirected their security cameras to monitor the street and the mural, ensuring that any further incidents are captured and reported. The community remains vigilant in its efforts to protect both the mural and the values it represents.