Florida continues to remove rainbow design from Pulse memorial crosswalk amidst community pushback

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has once again painted over a rainbow crosswalk in Orlando, a part of the Pulse nightclub memorial, after persistent demonstrations by community members who restored the rainbow colors with multicolored chalk. The initial removal of the rainbow design, implemented late Wednesday, has sparked ongoing protests.

The rainbow crosswalk was originally established in 2017 as a tribute to the 49 individuals who tragically lost their lives in the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, a prominent LGBTQ+ nightclub.

FDOT issued a statement Thursday, asserting its responsibility to "ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems," maintaining that "roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests."

NBC News reports that the department further cited an updated version of its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which prohibits "non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads."

Governor Ron DeSantis echoed this sentiment in a post on X, stating, "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes."

In response to the initial removal, hundreds of protesters gathered at the crosswalk Thursday, many displaying rainbow flags, and used chalk to reinstate the rainbow design. While rain temporarily washed away the chalk, protesters have returned daily to recreate the rainbow. According to WESH, an NBC affiliate in Orlando, Florida Highway Patrol troopers were present Sunday morning, permitting the use of chalk as long as traffic flow was not obstructed, while warning that the use of paint would result in immediate arrest.

Despite the ongoing community efforts, FDOT crews repainted the crosswalk black and white again Sunday night, according to WESH. Transportation officials and Orlando police have maintained a continuous presence at the crosswalk.