Florida removes rainbow crosswalk honoring Pulse nightclub victims
Florida's Department of Transportation painted over a rainbow crosswalk memorializing the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, drawing criticism from city leaders and reigniting debates over LGBTQ+ visibility on public roads.
A rainbow crosswalk honoring the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando was painted over by Florida's Department of Transportation.
The artwork was part of a memorial to the 49 people killed in the deadliest mass shooting in the US at the time.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he was "devastated" by the removal, calling it a "cruel political act" that stripped away both safety markings and a symbol of the city's commitment to remember the lives lost.
State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith stated that the department had "ripped the rainbow colours off this city crosswalk" without notifying the city, accusing the administration of illegally vandalizing municipal property.
Governor Ron DeSantis responded on X: "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes." His office declined further comment, referencing his social media post.
In June, the Florida DOT issued a memo banning pavement art with social, political or ideological messages, noting it did not serve traffic control purposes. In July, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 states urging the removal of political statements from public roads, stating: "Political banners have no place on public roads."
The removal highlights the ongoing battle over public memorials and LGBTQ+ visibility in Florida's political landscape.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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