US EditionOrlando officials denounce removal of rainbow crosswalk near Pulse nightclub mass shooting site
The Florida Department of Transportation removed the rainbow crosswalk honoring 49 Pulse nightclub victims, citing compliance with traffic safety standards and a directive against political messages on roads.
- Florida Department of Transportation crews painted over the Pulse nightclub memorial rainbow crosswalk on Orange Avenue overnight on August 21, 2025, removing a tribute to the 49 victims of the 2016 massacre.
- Last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged governors to remove distracting road art, and earlier this year Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1662 to enforce uniform pavement markings.
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer condemned the removal, saying, `We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue,` while State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith called it illegal vandalism and criticized the midnight action.
- FDOT told cities it would act if they failed to comply, telling Delray Beach it would `remove them by any appropriate method necessary`; Orlando residents responded by reapplying colors and protesting with chalk.
- Critics of Florida policy argue the crosswalk removal reflects a broader stance on LGBTQ issues amid a culture-war push, while City of Orlando proceeds with permanent Pulse memorial construction expected next year; Key West city commissioners recently voted to keep their rainbow intersection.
163 Articles
163 Articles
Florida Democrats Fume After Ron DeSantis Starts Painting Over, Removing Rainbow Crosswalks In Florida - The American Tribune.com
Governor Ron DeSantis has sent the liberals into a massive meltdown after he announced that rainbow crosswalks, which are common in progressive areas, will be painted over. Reacting to the announcement, State Senator Carlos Guillermo-Smith (D) went on a massive rant, which was filmed and posted to X, creating an enormous backlash from conservatives. As reported by online sleuths, woke activists protested the decision by attempting to recreate th…
Fort Lauderdale mayor, Miss Bouvèè speak out against Florida order to remove rainbow crosswalks -- even at Pulse memorial
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis joined the voices who oppose the Florida Department of Transportation’s order to remove rainbow crosswalks.
On Thursday night, the state of Florida painted over a memorial for the 49 people killed in the 2016 terrorist attack on a gay club in Orlando. The symbolism is overt.
Gov. Ron DeSantis REMOVES LGBT crosswalk at Pulse Memorial overnight
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has removed the painted rainbow crosswalk outside of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which was painted in memory of the 49 people killed at the site in 2016.And Democratic state Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith is not happy.“We’ve just discovered that the Florida Department of Transportation in the middle of the night ripped the rainbow colors off of this city crosswalk. They illegally vandalized city prop…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
