Wilmington DSA issues statement after bus stop bench controversy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is speaking out after several of its community-built bus stop benches were removed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and one was allegedly stolen and defaced.

In a statement released Thursday, the organization said the benches were built as part of a mutual aid effort using donated and repurposed materials to provide seating for transit riders across Wilmington.

The group said one bench was stolen, repainted with anti-socialist messages, and later shared online. The DSA said it did not intend to pursue the return of that bench, expressing hope that it would still be available for public use if placed elsewhere.

The organization also criticized the removal of additional benches by NCDOT following comments from New Hanover County Commissioner Dane Scalise, who previously said he would work to have the benches removed from state rights-of-way.

According to the DSA, the benches had been in place for as long as 15 months before they were removed. The group argued the action reduced available seating for public transit users without offering an alternative.

In its statement, the DSA accused Scalise of opposing the project for political reasons and called on county leaders to work with NCDOT to restore the benches or provide permanent public seating at bus stops.

The organization also urged residents to participate in a letter-writing campaign asking county commissioners to advocate for transit riders and support additional seating at bus stops.

The bench controversy began after one of the benches was removed by a local group, repainted with anti-socialist slogans and displayed online. In response, county officials requested NCDOT review whether the benches were permitted within state-maintained rights-of-way, leading to the removal of several benches.

NCDOT has not publicly announced whether the benches could be returned or replaced.