On August 29th, 2025, St. Petersburg, Florida, became the center of a tense and emotional standoff. [music] Florida Department of Transportation crews arrived to remove the Black History Matters street mural, a decision that had already sparked controversy across the city. Waiting for them were two pastors, Andrew Oliver and Benedict [music] Athetherton Zean. Instead of shouting or protesting, the men took a different approach. They sat directly in the roadway, positioned over the mural, heads bowed, praying [music] silently. >> Sir, could you do me a favor? Just don't back into them yet so we can get them out of the road. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to pull it over here. >> Thank you. I am not. >> All right. These gentlemen explain to you that this is a state operation that we are here just to block the road. You guys understand that? >> Here to enable fascism. I understand that. Yes. I am asking you nicely, can you guys please just go on the sidewalk so you don't get hit by one of these cars? >> All we care about is your safety. We don't want you getting hit by a car. >> Not move. >> I follow Jesus and he will not let me move. >> Okay. This is where I am called to be. My religious obligation, >> can you please can you please just go on the sidewalk? >> You can prayers are answered. You can call the chief. >> I' I' I've asked the trucks to stop backing up so we don't run you over. I don't not I do not want those cars to run you over. Okay. So, I'm trying to get them to just stop for a minute. >> Okay. We are not moving. That's our position. >> Hold it there. Please do not go any further till I get them out of the road. Okay, L40, I need two of the units that are over in the park at the northeast corner of 922 to come over here, please. Just pull up to the cars that are blocking the road. We're going to have to remove a subject from the street. What's up? >> I got them coming over. They're going to if they refuse to get out of the road, they're going to have to be physically removed from the road. >> They say they're not moving. >> Okay. Sergeant Carianis. >> I have them holding off for a minute. >> I'm um I have them holding off for a minute. I have these officers here. We're going to give them another opportunity to come up on the side of the road. If they do not, they have to be removed from the road. >> Okay. >> Okay. They are they're in the public right of way. They cannot sit here anymore. >> Okay. Um, the gentleman on the right has provided me his identification. The gentleman on the left, I'm not familiar with them. >> Um, has not. >> Okay. >> Um, I'll go over there. I'll speak with them one more time and uh and then we'll >> Okay, >> I'll take you. >> Okay. So, these gentlemen are refusing to get out of the road. Sergeant Konas is going to work on it a little bit longer. If they do not get up, we will have to physically remove them from the road and we will be temporarily detaining them in our police cars. Okay. Guys, I'm one I'm going to give you one more opportunity. Can you please just go up on the sidewalk for everyone's safety so no one gets hit by a car? You are blocking the right of way. That's all I'm asking. >> You are blocking justice. >> I'm not blocking anything. I am here to provide safety for >> You are blocking justice. >> I am not blocking anything. I'm asking you one more time. Can you please go on the sidewalk? That's all I'm asking. All right. 10:15. [groaning] >> 40. I'm going to need my other people blocking traffic to come down and help us. Please give us this day our daily bread. >> Bring them over here. >> Forgive those who trespass against us. Thank you. >> Yep. >> 15. >> Yes, please. >> Yep. >> Careful. Careful. Careful. I don't want him to hit his legs against this curb. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Sir, just be careful. We don't want your feet dragging getting hurt. >> Let me get I need a cruiser. Come over here. Please get a cruiser. Let's get them in this and get them out of here. >> Officers made contact and explained the situation clearly. The roadway was active. Crews were authorized to proceed and the area needed to be cleared. Multiple lawful warnings were given, but the pastors didn't move. With traffic blocked and crews unable to work, officers made the call. Police moved in carefully, lifting each man to their feet and escorting them away from the mural. Both pastors were taken into custody without incident. >> All right, man. Put your feet up on me. Ready? 1 2 3. We're going to go right to this. >> Thank you. Anything stick, sir? >> Yeah, that's my those are my keys. That's my wallet. That's my phone. >> No or anything. Take your wallet out. >> Please. Go ahead. You guys have an ID. >> ID? Sergeant >> I think u I think Sergeant's got it. >> Okay. Nothing else on here. >> Uh my phone keys. Keys. >> Okay. >> Your car the lock. Yes. >> Yeah. You have anything on you that's going to poke the status? >> Nothing on you. Okay. No problem. Do you have ID on you by chance? Okay. >> Right here. >> Did you speak to the people over there? >> I did. Okay. >> I paid 20 bucks to get arrested. just shirts pockets. >> All right, let me let me see if we do separate from We're going to go right over here, buddy. Okay, >> I'll go on the other side. Get it. Hello, Sergeant. >> Hello, sir. Uh, how do you say your name? >> Uh, Athetherton Zeman. >> Athetherton Zean. All right, Mr. Athetherton Zean. Um, I'm just letting you know that uh you're going to be issued a pedestrian violation um for uh obstructing the roadway and then you're being charged with uh obstruction. >> Okay. Thank you, Sergeant. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Oliver. >> Yes. >> Correct. Okay. Um, Sergeant Kionis, I'm just letting you know um you're being you're going to be issued a pedestrian violation for obstructing the roadway and then you're uh being charged with obstruction. Okay. Do you have any questions? >> Can you loosen my handcuffs? >> Uh yeah. Uh, let me undo this. You can just face that way. Let me double lock them on you. Is this one fine? Yeah. Okay. >> Actually, let me let let me reapply them. >> Is that a little bit better? >> That's better. >> And this one's fine. >> Uh, is that one on the right way? I >> They're on the right way. It's just >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. Yeah. Let me just make sure it's double locked. All right. Any other questions? >> All right. >> Andrew Oliver [music] and Benedict Athetherton Zean were booked on charges of obstruction and hindering traffic. They were later released the same night. What began as a silent prayer in the middle of a street quickly turned into a viral moment. One that left the public divided over where freedom of expression ends and enforcement begins. If you want more unbelievable police arrests, subscribe to Jury Duty Body [music] Cam and ring the bell so you never miss the next wild case.