A Democratic mayor in the US has demanded the removal of an unfinished mural paying tribute to Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was murdered last year.
Brett Smiley, the Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, has claimed the artwork is divisive and misguided - and says it should be pulled down.
The tribute is found on the exterior of The Dark Lady, a gay bar in central Providence - and is said to have recieved the backing of Elon Musk.
"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 county is divisive and does not represent Providence," the Mayor said.
"I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divide us," Mr Smiley added.
The owners of The Dark Lady also appeared to cave into outrage - and announced the half-finished tribute would be removed.
"We heard you PVD. We are deeply and sincerely sorry for everything that has taken place over the past week," they said.
"After reflecting and learning, we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible.
"We remain committed to fostering unity, safety, and care for all members of our community, and we will continue to listen, learn, and act with those values at the forefront."
The mural was half-finished when the Mayor called for it to be removed - and the building's owners have now confirmed it's set to go
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The stabbing happened on the same train line that played host to the August killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska | CHARLOTTE AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM/WBTV NEWSMs Zarutska, just 23, fled Ukraine following Vladimir Putin's invasion invasion in 2022 - and had been living as a refugee in the US since.
Though she fled war for safety in America, she was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack on a light railway in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Her killer, Decarlos Brown Jr, 34, was captured on the public transport system's CCTV in footage which shocked the world.
Brown Jr now faces federal charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which carries the possibility of capital punishment.
His extensive criminal record includes convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery, according to North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records.
He had previously served a five-year prison sentence beginning in 2015.
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Iryna Zarutska, 23, was stabbed to death on a commuter train in North Carolina. She had already been attacked by the time of this image
| CHARLOTTE AREA TRANSIT SYSTEMThe artist behind the mural, Ian Gaudreau, began work on the project last week - and told local media that the tribute was never meant to carry political significance.
Musk pledged to donate $1million towards efforts to memorialise Ms Zarutska last year.
Donald Trump highlighted Ms Zarutska's killing during his State of the Union address last month.
"Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no-cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body," Mr Trump said.
Donald Trump highlighted Ms Zarutska's killing during his State of the Union address
| REUTERS"She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal set free to kill in America," he added.
The President had also invited Anna Zarutska, the slain 23-year-old's mother, to his address.
As he described her death in detail to American lawmakers, Anna wept - and was comforted by Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika.
Mr Trump also paid tribute to the parents of Sarah Beckstrom, a National Guard member who was fatally shot by an Afghan migrant in Washington DC.