RHODE ISLAND — A day after news surfaced that Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called for the removal of a privately funded mural of Iryna Zarutska, a murdered Ukrainian refugee, the owners of “The Dark Lady” establishment have decided to permanently remove it.
[Related: Woke Rhode Island Mayor Targets Mural Of Murdered Ukrainian Refugee In Attempt To Revise History]
The development marks the latest escalation after the blue state handlers confirmed they do not align with the mural project’s values, as the dispute becomes a flashpoint in identity politics.
What began as a memorial effort funded by online donations, including contributions from Elon Musk, the art project quickly became a target of removal efforts following pressure from leftist activists who framed the project as a right-wing symbol.
It’s important to note the mural project was not commissioned, nor did it receive any funding by the city of Providence. As covered in-depth by local reporter Ryan Medeiros, the mural artist received large sums of online donations and it was confirmed with the Providence mayor’s office that Brett Smiley personally not only wanted the mural removed, despite the project being completely funded privately.
Smiley’s office later issued a statement that describing the mural’s intent to be not only “divisive” but “misguided”, according to Medeiro’s follow-up reporting. The mayor has yet to show his face on camera regarding the matter amid the latest updates, yet his stance remains clear while actions speak louder than words.
Similarly, a Democratic mayoral candidate in the area, David Morales echoed similar sentiments and called the effort part of a “right-wing” movement that is exploiting Zarutska’s death.
As of this morning, Mar. 31, 2026, The Dark Lady cooperated with politician plans to remove the mural. John F. Gately, in posts on X, reported that Providence leaders concluded that the artwork in the mural did not reflect their values.
The outcome is described as results of progressive bullying and suppression by individuals — who are identified as anti-Trump Democrats — into pulling the plug on the project under the narrative of a right-wing power move, while the irony of democrats opposing memorial to murder victims persists.
In a subsequent post, Gately highlighted what he coined a “Mao struggle session” unfolding as Instagram comments on The Dark Lady’s official profile intensified. Critic outrage illustrates growing pressure on the business as community backlash presents evidence of broader ideological enforcement patterns in Rhode Island.
As the mural dismantled, the victim’s story clearly became secondary to political exploitation and cancellation, as it did not make the roster of prevailing progressive narratives. The Dark Lady’s capitulation to local political pressure also underscores how targeted pressure can override individual choice in the United States in plain sight.
Regardless the Rhode Island Revisionists, this case stands as a documented instance of how Democrat institutional authority can drive a stake in the heart of American freedom of speech and expression.
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” – George Orwell
