Overview
- METRO crews tore out the rainbow crosswalks at Westheimer and Taft before dawn on Oct. 20, replacing the paint with fresh asphalt after weeks of dispute.
- Houston police said four people were arrested on allegations of blocking the roadway during the pre-dawn operation, with charges pending.
- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo questioned the legality of METRO’s swift action without a board vote and called for transparency, as county attorneys review possible legal options.
- Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin said METRO failed to provide promised advance notice, while residents quickly responded by chalking rainbows at the Montrose site and creating a chalk crosswalk in the Heights.
- Texas officials acted under a 30‑day compliance directive tied to USDOT’s SAFE ROADS push, putting other markings at risk statewide as Galveston has already removed rainbow crosswalks and San Antonio seeks an exemption.