Ron DeSantis Statue Melts in Tallahassee Climate Protest
On Tuesday, October 13, a life-sized statue of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, made of gallium and named "DENIAL," melted shortly after being unveiled in front of his supporters in Tallahassee. This dramatic change into a bare frame highlighted DeSantis's ongoing dismissal of climate change, as voters prepare to choose his successor on November 3. The statue featured a sign quoting DeSantis's 2018 campaign statement, "I am not a global warming person," and referenced his 2024 signing of House Bill 1645, which removed "climate change" from Florida laws and eliminated mandates for state agencies to focus on eco-friendly initiatives. A spokesperson from 350 Action remarked to Hyperallergic, "The public reaction illustrates that nature's laws are undeniable, just as the legislative language aimed to erase climate change from law."
Key facts
- A life-sized gallium statue of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, titled "DENIAL," melted after being installed by climate advocacy group 350 Action in Tallahassee on Tuesday, October 13.
- The installation occurred in front of a crowd of DeSantis supporters.
- The statue's placard reads, "I am not a global warming person," quoting DeSantis's 2018 gubernatorial campaign statement.
- The placard also references DeSantis's 2024 signing of House Bill 1645, which removed the phrase "climate change" from Florida statutes and ended requirements for state agencies to prioritize climate-friendly facilities.
- Floridians will vote for DeSantis's successor on November 3.
- A 350 Action spokesperson stated that the action used civic branding to let the public witness climate reality firsthand.
- The spokesperson added that one cannot deny physical laws of nature or argue with the public record.
- The statue's melting into a skeletal base highlighted DeSantis's longstanding rejection of climate change.
Entities
Artists
- Ron DeSantis
Institutions
- 350 Action
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- Tallahassee
- Florida
- United States