As RedState reported on Tuesday, the supposedly “tolerant” Democrats in Providence, Rhode Island, had absolute meltdowns after learning of the mural that was being painted on the side of one of its buildings in honor of Iryna Zarutska.
The 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was murdered in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the light rail system last August in a horrific stabbing that was caught on video. The suspect in her murder is 34-year-old violent repeat offender DeCarlos Brown, Jr., and her case became a flashpoint in the national conversation on violent crime in America, with President Trump vowing justice for her during his State of the Union address, where her mother, Anna, was in attendance.
Murals have been painted in cities across America in tribute to Iryna and to keep her memory alive. But Providence’s woke Democrat mayor, Brett Smiley, called this one “divisive” in part because Elon Musk helped fund it, and urged the Dark Lady LGBTQ club to have it taken down.
As we also reported, the club owners eventually bent the knee to the mob and the mayor after initially trying to reassure the community that they were loyal Democrats who did not support Trump but who wanted to honor Zarutska’s life.
“We heard you, PVD. We are deeply and sincerely sorry for everything that has taken place over the past week,” they wrote in a follow-up message. “After reflecting and learning, we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible.”
For people who supported the painting of the mural and what it symbolized, this didn’t cut it – with the artist also speaking out in support of either keeping the mural there or perhaps relocating it somewhere else:
Petition to save the mural. We’re also looking for a new wall to host the mural. Please DM leads looking to host it in Providence downtown, but we are also open to Boston. The wall needs to be 45 feet tall at least and 37 feet wide at least.https://t.co/sHX2clmWr4
— Ian M Gaudreau (@IanGaudrea30195) April 1, 2026
Will the dark lady mural memorializing slain Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska find a new home after the dark lady owners said they want it removed? The artist told me he wants to finish his project, @JessicaforRI says she’ll facilitate and RI GOP members have a petition going pic.twitter.com/D3MJ9Vt0D1
— reporternicolem (@reporternicolem) April 1, 2026
JessicaforRI is Republican Jessica de la Cruz, the Rhode Island Senate Minority Leader. She’s also urging people to call the mayor’s office to express their displeasure over his public pressure to have the mural taken down:
“The First Amendment is first for a reason. When government interferes with free expression, it’s not a minor offense—it’s a serious matter. Call the Mayor’s office today and ask him to apologize for intruding on the First Amendment rights of an artist and a business. “
Take 1 minute today to protect the First Amendment.
An artist and private business displayed an elegant and tasteful memorial/mural – Mayor Smiley objected.
The First Amendment is first for a reason. When government interferes with free expression, it’s not a minor offense—it’s… pic.twitter.com/vMoOmWA1xG
— Senator Jessica de la Cruz (@JessicaforRI) April 1, 2026
WPRO talk radio host Tara Granahan also posted an encouraging update, noting that there is a business owner who may be willing to work with the artist, presumably to relocate the mural:
YES, this morning I called for someone to step up, 🚨and we have a potential Business Owner who may work with the artist… @iangaudreau — thanks to all the media outlets that followed up. 😉
We have the latest tomorrow morning at 9 AM on @wpro https://t.co/eSzIWLIB71— taragranahanradio (@taragranahan1) April 1, 2026
I hope they keep the pressure on until the completed version of that mural can see the light of day. Because if leftist-inspired murals like the ones of George Floyd are okay to put up in Providence, surely Iryna Zarutska is deserving of one:
A portrait of an innocent murder victim? Suddenly it is divisive and must be erased.
Same state. Same Creative Capital. Same private property rules except this time the victim does not fit the approved political narrative.
This is not about art. It is about selective outrage pic.twitter.com/ixbiPU8XFC— RI Republican Party (@RhodeIslandGOP) April 1, 2026
Shameful. Once again, Democrats are reaffirming who they really are. And we should believe them.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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