Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and State Representative David Morales have called for the removal of a mural depicting Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee murdered in 2025. The artwork, located on an LGBTQ+ club, has drawn criticism for its funding and perceived divisiveness. The club owners have agreed to take it down.
A mural honoring Iryna Zarutska appeared on the side of The Dark Lady, an LGBTQ+ club in Providence, Rhode Island. Zarutska, 23, fled Ukraine amid the Russian invasion in 2022 and was stabbed to death in August 2025 on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her attacker, DeCarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., had 14 prior arrests, including armed robbery, and was riding without a ticket, according to surveillance footage cited in reports from September 2025. The mural project received funding from Elon Musk and was highlighted by President Donald Trump to underscore urban crime issues. Mayor Brett Smiley described the funding intent as 'misguided' and 'divisive,' stating, 'The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence.' State Representative David Morales, who is running for mayor, called it part of a 'right-wing movement that is exploiting the death of the refugee for the purposes of trying to spread division,' adding that it does not reflect Providence's values. The Dark Lady owners issued a statement apologizing and announcing plans for removal: 'We heard you PVD. We are deeply and sincerely sorry... we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible.' Artist Ian Gaudreau expressed sadness on Instagram, saying the work aimed to humanize Zarutska and combat political agendas. GOP State Senator Jessica de la Cruz defended the mural, calling its removal 'censorship' protected by the First Amendment.
