Rhode Island state Rep David Morales faces backlash over Zarutska mural comments
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A Democratic state representative from Rhode Island is facing backlash on social media after claiming that a mural of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian woman who was brutally murdered while riding her bike in North Carolina, does not reflect the “values” of the city of Providence.
“Ultimately, we want to make sure that every community member who calls Providence home feels safe,” Rep. David Morales told local media about a mural in Zarutska. facing calls to be removed From the exterior of an LGBTQ+ club in downtown Providence.
“We can both agree that this mural behind us does not reflect the values of Providence and does not reflect the creativity we would like to see in our city.”
The MP’s comments sparked negative reactions from conservatives on social media after they were shared by conservative influencer account End Wokeness in a post viewed more than 1 million times.
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Rhode Island State Representative David Morales is facing anger over comments made about a mural of Iryna Zarutska. (WPRI; Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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“He cites people wanting to be ‘safe’ as the reason for tearing down a mural on a private building honoring a murdered woman,” Red State writer Bonchie said. Published on X. “You can’t imagine how crazy the Democrats are in these blue bastions. You think what you’re seeing on MSNBC is crazy? It’s even worse in their bubble cities.”
“Doesn’t honoring the memory of a Ukrainian immigrant whose throat was slit on public transportation by a repeat offender who had been arrested 14 times not reflect Providence’s values????” Erika Sanzi, communications director for Defense Education Published on X
“What ‘value’ does the mural not reflect?” Republican Representative Chip Roy Published on X
“Iryna’s death demonstrates the consequences of crooked policies that keep violent criminals out of prison,” said Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Published on X “Commemorating him reminds us that these policies create more victims and must be eliminated. To tell us that these are not Rep. Morales’ ‘values.'”
“True” Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz Published on X. “Dems would prefer a mural commemorating his killer.”
“There was a mural of George Floyd in Providence and no one called it divisive,” GOP strategist and commentator Mehek Cooke said Published on X. “Iryna was murdered by a man who had been arrested more than a dozen times, and the city couldn’t let her face remain on the wall because her donor list was ineligible. Now we want to test the pain.”
CNN commentator Scott Jennings called Morales a “deranged lunatic.” Publish on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Morales’ office for comment but did not receive a response.
Morales responded to Musk on X to post clarifying what their “values” are.
“Not taking advantage of the death of a refugee to advance an agenda centered on fear and division,” Morales wrote. “Like many of our neighbors in Providence, my values are to protect our immigrant neighbors from ICE’s state-sanctioned violence and to support our refugee neighbors with genuine care.”
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Iryna Zarutska cowers as the attacker approaches her. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)
Democrat Brett P. Smiley, the mayor of Providence, also opposed the mural.
“The murder of the person depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those who fund murals like this across the country is divisive and does not represent Divine Providence,” Smiley said. “I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than further dividing us.”
Zarutska, a 23-year-old refugee who fled her country after the Russian invasion, was brutally murdered stabbed to death Last year, he went on an unprovoked attack while riding the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte, NC.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is charged under federal law with violence against a rail carrier and public transportation system resulting in death.
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Booking photo of Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. taken on September 14, 2022, following his arrest in Mecklenburg County. Brown, 34, is accused of stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska to death aboard the Charlotte light rail train on Aug. 22, 2025. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO))
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records show Brown has been convicted of crimes including burglary, breaking and entering and armed robbery. He served five years in prison starting in 2015.
Zarutska’s death raises questions soft on crime Policies adopted by many Democrat-run cities. President Donald Trump highlighted the murder in his State of the Union address last month.
“Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster who had been arrested more than a dozen times and was released on cashless bail stood up and brutally plunged a knife into her neck and body,” Trump said.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
