Tensions escalated Sunday evening at the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk, where Florida Highway Patrol troopers detained several people after they attempted to restore its colors.
The incident occurred during a scheduled “Chalk For Pride” demonstration at the intersection of South Orange Avenue and West Esther Street, where the rainbow crosswalk was originally painted to honor the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. The event was organized in response to the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) removal of decorative crosswalks under new statewide regulations.
FDOT Enforcement and Safety Concerns
In recent weeks, FDOT crews have repeatedly painted over the rainbow crosswalk, citing uniform traffic standards and concerns that nontraditional designs could pose safety risks. Warning signs placed near the site read “Defacing Roadway Prohibited” and “No Impeding Traffic.”
The agency has extended similar enforcement efforts across Florida, removing decorative crosswalks in multiple cities as part of a broader push for statewide consistency in roadway design.
Community Response and Arrests
During Sunday’s protest, witnesses reported seeing individuals placed in handcuffs after attempting to recolor the crosswalk. Orlando police officers and state troopers monitored the demonstration from a nearby parking lot.
Activists say they have maintained a daily presence at the site for more than a week, vowing to resist the removal of what they describe as a community landmark and symbol of resilience. Organizers of the demonstration accused the state of using “abuse of laws that threaten our freedom of expression.”
City Leaders Defend Memorial
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has publicly defended the rainbow tribute, calling it both a functional crosswalk and a meaningful memorial to those lost in the Pulse tragedy. Local leaders have emphasized its role in fostering remembrance, community identity, and pedestrian safety.
What’s Next
Advocates for the memorial say they will continue pressing for the restoration of the rainbow design, even as FDOT enforces its ban statewide. The standoff highlights a growing clash between state transportation policies and local efforts to maintain symbols of diversity and remembrance in public spaces.