In 2016, the deadliest mass shooting in American history to that point had just occurred in Orlando, Fla.. The Pulse Nightclub, advertised for its LGBTQ+ safety and inclusivity, was the scene where 49 people were killed, and another 50 were wounded. This incident is still the second deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. A rainbow crosswalk was painted outside of the larger memorial to commemorate the victims of the great tragedy. The crosswalk has since been painted over by Florida’s Department of Transportation under order by its Governor, Ron DeSantis.
The move comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced to all 50 states that “political statements” must be removed from the roads, stating that “taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks.” DeSantis added by saying that the state “will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.” Orlando’s mayor has responded by saying he was “devastated” by the “cruel political act” of removing the colors from the crosswalk, adding that it was “a reminder of Orlando’s commitment to honor the 49 lives taken.” Senator Smith from Florida even claims that the department “illegally vandalized city property” without advanced notice or approval, but the claims are not currently being addressed.
Protestors have since taken it upon themselves to repaint the crosswalk with chalk and paint, with at least four of them resulting in arrest and eventual release with no clear idea of what penalties they may face. Reportedly after every instance of rain, protestors gathered again to repaint the markings, until transportation officials repainted it black and white a final time. Orlando police now provide round the clock surveillance of the location. Outside of Orlando, other city officials in Florida have met about the resolutions to rainbow crosswalks in other locations, which they are ordered to cover. The attorneys representing those charged said the protestors are simply exercising their right to free speech, because they are not damaging or defacing property. He says that “the argument that chalk is defacing is just ludicrous.”
One of the Pulse Nightclub shooting survivors, Brandon Wolf, states that the state is inconsistent with its justification removing street art. Florida and DeSantis insist the ban on political messaging is for safety. However, there is data that supports that roadways with art or messaging see a 50% decrease in crashed involving pedestrians and a 17% decrease in total crashes. In regard to Delray Beach’s Pride Mural, public records find that since its rainbow installation in June, only two accidents have occurred, both of which involved only cars. In the four years prior, 15 incidents were reported, including bicycles and a hit -and-run with a pedestrian.
As of now, Florida city officials continue to challenge the law. Among other affected murals are those depicting “Back the Blue” outside of the Tampa police headquarters and a “Black History Matters” street mural outside of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Based on the attitudes of protestors and city officials alike, there will be much pushback against Gov. DeSantis and the Department of Transportation’s new guidelines for roadway art.