Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just stirred the pot again with a midnight maneuver that’s got progressive feathers ruffled.
According to Fox News, in a nutshell, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), under DeSantis’s watch, stripped a rainbow-colored crosswalk in Orlando near the Pulse nightclub tragedy site, sparking outrage from local leaders while the state insists it’s all about safety and consistency.
Let’s rewind a bit—this crosswalk, painted in vibrant rainbow hues, was first approved by FDOT years ago to honor the 49 lives lost in the horrific 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
It also served a practical purpose, boosting pedestrian safety for those visiting to pay respects near the site of what was once the nation’s deadliest mass shooting at the time.
Fast forward to a quiet night recently, when FDOT crews rolled in under the cover of darkness and erased the colorful tribute, as revealed in a video shared by Democratic state Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith on Thursday.
Smith didn’t hold back, lamenting, “The Florida Department of Transportation, in the middle of the night, ripped the rainbow colors off of this city crosswalk.” Well, Senator, perhaps state roads aren’t the canvas for every cause, no matter how heartfelt.
Smith doubled down, claiming the crosswalk was meant to honor victims and ensure safety, accusing the state of betrayal for “political ambition.” That’s a heavy charge, but let’s not forget that public infrastructure isn’t a billboard for ideology—something DeSantis seems keen to remind us of.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also chimed in, calling the removal a “cruel political act” done without safety data or discussion. While the sentiment tugs at the heartstrings, one has to wonder if emotional memorials should override uniform traffic standards on state roads.
Dyer added, “The City of Orlando's safety crosswalks were all installed in close coordination with the state.” Fair point, but coordination doesn’t mean a free pass to sidestep updated regulations, does it?
On the flip side, FDOT defended the move on Friday, stressing their mission to “ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways” by keeping them free of social or political messaging. That sounds like a reasonable line in the sand, especially when lives depend on clear, uniform traffic markings.
The department noted that earlier this year, they updated the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with input from state and local governments, banning non-standard markings like this one. Turns out, rules are rules, even for memorials.
FDOT also reminded everyone that in June, they notified local governments of these changes, warning that noncompliance could risk state funding. A little heads-up goes a long way, but apparently, not everyone got the memo—or chose to ignore it.
Last week, noncompliant local governments started getting notices to bring their roads up to standard, while FDOT reviewed state-maintained roads like Orange Avenue, where the Pulse crosswalk once stood. Now, with the rainbow gone and the crosswalk “restored to its proper form,” the state’s cracking down on what they call inappropriate “street art.”
Governor DeSantis himself weighed in, declaring, “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.” That’s a bold stance, and while it may sting for some, it’s hard to argue against keeping infrastructure focused on function over feelings.
Meanwhile, the FDOT pointed out that a permanent memorial is in the works on nearby properties, funded by the state, which would offer a more fitting tribute without compromising road safety. So, perhaps this isn’t erasure, but redirection—a compromise that respects both memory and practicality. After all, honoring the fallen doesn’t have to mean painting over common sense.
