City orders tarp be removed after LGBTQ+ inclusive ‘Solidarity’ mural was covered for Trump rally
Solidarity Mural at Five Flags Civic Center (Bob Felderman / City of Dubuque)
Dubuque officials ordered a large tarp removed after it was placed over the city’s ‘Solidarity’ mural ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa for a Republican rally on Sunday 1 November.
The ‘Solidarity’ mural covers one side of the Five Flags Civic Center. It was made to represent peace and unity in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020 and the protests that came afterwards.
Created by artist Shelby Fry, the artwork also includes symbols representing LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.
The covering appeared on the outside of the Five Flags Civic Center in Dubuque, Iowa. By Saturday afternoon, images of the tarp were circulating on social media.
In a statement, the City of Dubuque said it had not approved any change to the building’s exterior. “The City of Dubuque became aware this evening that a tarp was hung over the side of Five Flags Center,” the city said. “The City was not asked if the exterior of the facility could be modified and did not authorize the tarp.”
The city added: “Five Flags Center is owned by the City of Dubuque and is operated by a private management company, Oak View Group.” City officials said they directed Oak View Group to remove the tarp, and that the company complied.
Chairman of the Five Flags Center Commission, Bryce Parks, took to his social media with a personal statement condemning the covering of the mural.
Parks said: “I personally fully condemn the overtly racist and bigoted maneuver of the Republican Party and President Trump for covering up the Solidarity mural on the side of Five Flags Arena which serves as a proud symbol of our welcoming and inclusive community to ALL!”
Who asked for the mural to be covered?
Scott Hallgren, identified as the centre’s general manager for Oak View Group, said the decision to cover the mural came from the Office of Presidential Advance, which organises presidential visits.
Hallgren also said the White House wanted to use the exterior for branding and to display a US flag. He said the centre, its operator and the city had not authorised anything to be hung on the building’s exterior.
The incident comes amid continued scrutiny of the tone and staging of Trump’s campaign events. On 26 October, Trump drew headlines after telling supporters at a Michigan rally to look at Nicki Minaj’s “beautiful a**”, as it was suggested she could be the next White House press secretary.
