This browser does not support the Video element.
Pulse rainbow crosswalk painted over by state, sparking backlash
The rainbow crosswalk outside the former Pulse nightclub — painted in 2017 to honor the 49 victims of the mass shooting and symbolize LGBTQ pride — was covered with black paint overnight, igniting outrage from city leaders, survivors, and community members.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk honoring the 49 lives lost in the 2016 nightclub shooting has been removed and painted over by the state, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
What we know:
Dyer shared a post on Facebook Thursday morning to announce what happened to the Pulse Memorial crosswalk.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP
Dyer said the crosswalk was painted over and removed overnight by the the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The crosswalk was part of the Pulse Memorial and was installed by the state. The City of Orlando’s safety crosswalks were all installed in close coordination with the state and adhere to national safety standards, the mayor said.
Dyer added that the crosswalk enhanced safety and visibility for the large number of pedestrians visiting the memorial, as well as served as a visual reminder of Orlando’s commitment to honoring the 49 lives taken in the 2016 deadly nightclub shooting.
(Credit: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer)
By midday Wednesday, residents had temporarily restored the rainbow crosswalk's colors with chalk. The crosswalk is on Esther Street, which intersects with Orange Avenue.
What we don't know:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said earlier this year it had notified local governments about changes to its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) which would prohibit crosswalks such as the Pulse memorial crosswalk. FDOT said it solicited feedback from state and local representatives, but this feedback has not been made public.
FDOT said last week it notified local governments of its intentions, though it is unclear if the state formally notified Orlando City leaders that the Pulse rainbow crosswalk would be removed.
'Distraction, deflection and destruction'
What they're saying:
Dyer said while the crosswalk has been removed, the community's commitment to honoring the 49 lives lost can never be erased.
"We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue," Dyer said. "This callous action of hastily removing part of a memorial to what was at the time our nation’s largest mass shooting, without any supporting safety data or discussion, is a cruel political act."
SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS
City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who represents the district, called the action "a slap in the face."
"This was a memorial, this was not a political statement, and this was done in accordance with FDOT rules," Sheehan said.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said the crosswalk was never a political statement, and more crosswalks help to increase visibility and safety.
"Caring about people of all backgrounds is not meant to be a political statement," she said. "What is political, what is authoritative and what is disrespectful to the 49 lives murdered and our entire community, is sneaking into the city in the middle of the night to literally erase a rainbow crosswalk that was originally established with FDOT approval!"
Eskamani said the community won't allow DeSantis to "weaponize state agencies and erase communities without a fight."
"The reality is, Gov. DeSantis has no real plan to solve actual problems our community faces, like housing affordability or property insurance, so all he can do is divide us and attack vulnerable communities," she said. "It's distraction, deflection and destruction."
State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said this did not come as a surprise as Florida leaders have been targeting rainbow crosswalks statewide.
"They are actively fighting with the City of Delray Beach, with Key West, with Sarasota," he said. "This is the crosswalk that they wanted to make an example out of? The crosswalk that was created to remember 49 people who were murdered here?"
Pulse survivors react
For survivors, the change has reopened wounds.
"It’s really hard for me to say that I feel any other way than numb," said Darelis Torres, who lived through the massacre and lost friends inside.
She said a permanent memorial would make a crosswalk dispute irrelevant but criticized the state’s decision.
"I think it’s horrible and despicable that the state is doing that," she said.
Another high-profile survivor and political activist, Brandon Wolf, posted on X, "The cowards who feel threatened by our lives should feel lucky they didn’t have to bury the ones they love — then watch the state come & desecrate their memory."
Sec. Duffy calls for removal of ‘politically charged’ crosswalks
The other side:
Recently, United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for the removal of certain crosswalk designs the administration deems politically charged and distracting. Duffy said the designs are distracting for drivers and detract from the core mission of driver and pedestrian safety.
"Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork," Duffy said.
DeSantis shared his thoughts in a post on X on Thursday.
Response from FDOT on Pulse rainbow crosswalk
FOX 35 News reached out to FDOT for a comment and we received this response:
"As the state highway department, it is the duty of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems. That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests.
"Earlier this year, the Department completed a months-long process of updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) with input from representatives of state and local governments. This update included a prohibition on non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads.
"In June, FDOT notified all local governments of these updates and revised provisions of Florida Statutes that give the Department authority to withhold state funds for noncompliance. This was followed by similar policy updates from USDOT Secretary Duffy.
"Last week, local governments not in compliance for local roads began receiving notifications to bring their roadways up to state standards to ensure locals govern themselves accordingly.
"In addition to ensuring all local governments comply, FDOT completed a review of all state-maintained roadways and is now correcting pavement markings not in compliance. That includes street art previously installed on state right of way, such as the intersection of Orange Avenue in question.
"Transportation infrastructure is for the movement of people and goods. In this case, while the crosswalk has been restored to its proper form, local efforts are underway to construct a permanent memorial on adjacent properties funded by the State of Florida. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false."
49 lives lost in nightclub shooting
The backstory:
On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire inside Pulse, a popular LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 and injuring dozens more. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. at the time and remains one of the most devastating attacks on the LGBTQ community in American history. The massacre sparked a global wave of solidarity and calls for reform.
What's next:
Earlier this month, FDOT ordered rainbow crosswalks in Delray Beach and Key West to be removed by Sept. 3, threatening state action if cities did not comply. Both remained in place as of Aug. 21.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, Pulse survivor Darelis Torres and the social media accounts for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf.