Community restores Pulse Memorial Rainbow Crosswalk hours after it was painted over
– 2 min read
In a powerful act of solidarity and defiance, members of the Orlando community have come together to restore the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk, just hours after it was controversially painted over by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk, located outside the former Pulse nightclub, was originally installed in 2017 to honour the 49 lives lost in the 2016 mass shooting and to symbolise LGBTQ+ pride. Overnight, FDOT covered the vibrant rainbow design with black paint, citing updated safety regulations and a prohibition on “non-uniform traffic control devices”.
The move has ignited widespread backlash from city officials, survivors, and LGBTQ+ advocates. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer condemned the action as “a cruel political act,” stating that the crosswalk was not only a memorial but also a safety feature approved by the state itself.
City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and State Rep. Anna Eskamani echoed the sentiment, calling the removal disrespectful and politically motivated.
By midday Wednesday, local residents responded by temporarily restoring the rainbow colours using chalk, a gesture that quickly gained traction online and in the media. Survivors of the Pulse tragedy, including Brandon Wolf and Darelis Torres, expressed deep hurt and frustration, describing the removal as a desecration of memory and a reopening of emotional wounds.
Florida officials defended the decision, arguing that roadways should not be used for “social, political, or ideological interests.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated, “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork”.
Despite the state’s stance, the community’s swift action to repaint the crosswalk - albeit temporarily - demonstrates a resilient commitment to remembrance and visibility. Equality Florida, an LGBTQ+ rights group, has called for statewide demonstrations and the installation of permanent exhibits of LGBTQ+ visibility, urging Floridians to “make their visibility undeniable”.
