ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch responded to recent vandalism against the Sunshine City's Progressive Pride Flag street mural Friday on his Instagram page.
Surveillance video from Ride'em Cowboy, a nearby country bar, captured footage of the vandalism. The first clip, filmed around 9:35 a.m. on Friday, May 17, shows a white truck expelling black smoke on the mural in the Grand Central District before quickly driving off.
The second clip, recorded at 2:42 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, shows a car performing a series of donut turns on the mural.
Welch said there is "no place for hate in St. Petersburg" and that his office "stands united" in valuing citizens "regardless of their orientation, gender identity or expression."
"Our differences make St. Pete the vibrant and diverse community we cherish," Welch said in the Instagram post.
The St. Petersburg Police Department said they don't believe the incidents are related. Police said this is considered a criminal mischief felony offense because it will cost the city $1,100 to restore.
The footage can be viewed below:
This isn't the only instance of a Pride mural being defaced by Tampa Bay residents. Earlier in February, a Clearwater man was arrested for vandalizing an LGBTQ+ intersection in Delray Beach, according to a report from WPEC-TV.
Welch said the St. Pete mural will be "cleaned and refreshed in time for Pride Month" in his Instagram post.
"As we look forward to the Pride celebrations, let’s continue to spread the message of love and acceptance even further," Welch said.
St. Pete's City Hall will hold its Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, May 31, the mayor said in his post. The city also plans to restore the mural in time for Pride month festivities, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.