Overview

• FDOT crews covered the rainbow crosswalk outside Orlando’s Pulse memorial overnight, replacing it with a standard marking, according to city officials.
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer called the removal a “cruel political act,” while local leaders noted the crosswalk was installed in 2017 with state involvement and designed to meet safety standards.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the move, saying, “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes,” as survivors and advocates denounced the action as a desecration.
• The state actions follow a July 1 letter from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directing states to eliminate roadway “political messages,” alongside an FDOT memo banning surface art and warning of fund withholding or state-led removals.
• Cities are split on compliance, with West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Gainesville preparing removals, while Delray Beach set a Sept. 2 administrative hearing to contest state authority and Key West signaled a fight.