street. Petersburg, Florida– street. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Florida city of St. Petersburg, long a bastion for LGBTQ+ rights and mindful of its segregated racist past, is considering approving two flags recognizing those issues after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis Similar street murals were commissioned It was erased due to supposed political messages.
The St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday afternoon on the flags, which were designed by an artist who created one of the major street murals. The resolution’s sponsor, Councilwoman Gina Driscoll, said the goal is to reassure residents and visitors that the city remains committed to diversity and inclusion.
“As with most art, these flags and their colors have a meaning as unique as we do to each person,” Driscoll said before the vote. “Flags are a reflection of the city’s identity, and these flags will go a step further in representing the people of St. Petersburg – all of us.”
One of the flags is called “Harmony” and includes the city seal with a rainbow design. The city has long been known as a welcoming place for LGBTQ people and each year hosts one of the largest gay pride celebrations in the country. It is also a city where colorful murals are painted on buildings everywhere.
The other flag, called “History,” is a reference to the black experience in St. Petersburg, which was once highly segregated. In one example, black police officers were prohibited for years from arresting white people north of the Central Avenue boundary that runs through downtown. Ultimately, a federal judge struck down the practice.
Flags react to Decision by DeSantis to erase street art across the state — much of which the governor asserts is political messages inappropriate for the roads — including at least five murals in St. Petersburg. One of those painted crosses was designed by artist Andrea Paulich, who also gave the flag designs to the city.
“Recent events have erased art from our city,” Pawlish said in an email. “Censorship of expression.” “It was important to design these flags to recognize all people and validate artists as part of our city.”
DeSantis spokeswoman Molly Best said Thursday that the flags are unnecessary because “we already have a flag that represents everyone.” She did not specify in an email whether this was the state or U.S. flag, nor whether the governor might challenge St. Petersburg flags.
Flags will be flown on city property at “appropriate times,” according to Driscoll’s decision, which will likely include Pride Month in June and Black History Month in February.
“The city should fly various forms of the official flag to represent a shared sense of local identity and promote the spirit of unity and belonging,” the resolution read.