The City of Pensacola has agreed to remove the “Black Lives Matter” street mural following an order from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The state agency mandated that the mural be taken down by September 4, citing compliance with state “traffic control device standards.” If the city fails to meet this deadline, FDOT will proceed with the removal and charge the costs to the city.
In a letter sent to FDOT, Pensacola officials stated their intention to comply with the order, but requested that the state agency manage the removal process. The city cited resource constraints, stating, “Given existing commitments and constraints upon the City’s resources, the City’s timely removal of the Pavement Markings as directed by [FDOT] is impracticable.” The mural is located one block south of Cervantes Street, an area managed by FDOT, which could complicate the removal efforts.
Mayor DC Reeves expressed concerns about the tight timeline given the city’s ongoing projects. He emphasized the importance of safety when undertaking work near a significant state road, saying, “It just seemed to make more viable sense that if this is a date that is being mandated by the state, that we, in collaboration with FDOT, would ask for their support and help in getting it done.”
Reeves clarified that the decision to remove the mural is not a political stance but rather a necessity to adhere to federal and state laws. “The role of the City of Pensacola is to follow federal and state law. To not be necessarily picking sides,” he explained.
The removal of the mural aligns with similar requests from FDOT to other cities in Florida. Recently, cities such as Key West, Tampa, and Tallahassee have faced comparable orders. The trend is reminiscent of the recent removal of a commemorative crosswalk at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, which has drawn attention to the agency’s actions regarding public art.
Critics of the FDOT’s decision, including Derrick Scott, chair of the Escambia County Democratic Party, argue that the removal is politically motivated. “They talk about it being connected to a major thoroughfare, the mural doesn’t start until a block after,” Scott stated, questioning the rationale behind the state’s claim of possible traffic hazards.
As the deadline approaches, Pensacola awaits further instructions from FDOT regarding the next steps in the removal process. This situation highlights ongoing discussions about public expressions of social movements and the intersection of local governance with state regulations.