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2w ago

Florida Widens Orders to Remove Rainbow Street Art, Sets Fort Lauderdale Hearing for Sept. 15

State enforcement has triggered administrative hearings that will test cities’ authority over street design.

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Protestors use chalk to re-color the pedestrian crosswalk after FDOT placed signs at the former rainbow crosswalk in front of the Pulse memorial, warning protestors not to block traffic or deface the crosswalk, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
The intersection at Breakers Avenue and Terramar Street in Fort Lauderdale has a wave pattern in the center, with the crosswalks painted in squares of color, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The intersection at Breakers Avenue and Terramar Street in Fort Lauderdale, shown on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, has a wave pattern in the center, with the crosswalks painted in squares of color. It's an example of the street artwork that the state Department of Transportation has ordered to be removed. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Overview

  • FDOT added seven more Fort Lauderdale locations to its removal list, bringing the total to 11, and scheduled a Sept. 15 administrative hearing in Orlando, stating the markings "will not be allowed."
  • Fort Lauderdale’s commission voted 5-0 to appeal the order and is preparing potential legal challenges after an emergency meeting drew broad public support.
  • Delray Beach faces an informal hearing on Sept. 2 after seeking a formal proceeding; state letters warned cities that noncompliance could lead to withholding of transportation funds.
  • Dozens rallied on Fort Lauderdale Beach to oppose the removals, arguing the campaign targets LGBTQ+ visibility and lacks evidence that painted crosswalks harm safety.
  • A judge found no probable cause and dismissed charges against a man arrested over chalk markings at Orlando’s Pulse memorial crosswalk following the state’s repainting.