Orlando woke to find that the rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub, an LGBTQ community landmark and memorial, had been removed by state officials. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) acted under the auspices of removing “political banners” from public spaces, leading to the disappearance of the brightly colored symbol. State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, himself a key figure in the state's LGBTQ and Hispanic communities, openly condemned the action, suggesting it was "a hostile act by the state government against the city of Orlando."
The crosswalk had been more than a tribute; it was a gesture of safety and remembrance for the 49 individuals whose lives were cruelly taken in 2016. As Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's statement, obtained by WFTV, reflected, the city believes that the state's actions to paint over the crosswalk had neither safety data to support it nor prior discussion with the city.
City officials are adamant that the now-erased crosswalk adhered to all safety standards and that its inception was done in conjunction with the state. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan disclosed to the Orlando Sentinel that no previous warnings were given by FDOT before this abrupt action, despite everything being "according to state law."
In spite of this setback, community leaders emphasized their unwavering commitment to remember and honor those lost. Mayor Dyer was quick to remind in his statement that while the state seemed intent to figuratively erase the memory of the victims, the resolve of the people in Orlando to hold those 49 individuals in their hearts and minds would not falter. Meanwhile, the removal action comes at the heels of a call by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, as mentioned by WFTV, to remove crosswalk designs deemed politically charged or distracting.
