Rainbow crosswalk near Pulse Nightclub in Orlando removed overnight

ORLANDO, Fla. – A rainbow-painted crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub memorial was removed overnight, following a recent directive from the Trump administration.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 governors urging them to keep intersections free of political messages, artwork and any markings not directly tied to pedestrian or driver safety.

“Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks,” Duffy said in a public statement posted to social media. “Political banners have no place on public roads.”

The crosswalk, located along Orange Avenue at the site of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was installed in 2017 as a tribute to the 49 lives lost and to symbolize inclusion and LGBTQ pride.

“There is no reason that they should have removed it. They are making a political statement,” Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan told News 6.

It was also a featured element in the design of the future permanent Pulse memorial, which recently received $400,000 in state funding.

“I don’t think it’s distracting at all,” one Orlando resident said. “It’s good there’s a memorial for the 49 victims. I think it serves a purpose.”

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said it was the Florida Department of Transportation that painted over the crosswalk.

“In the middle of the night, FDOT painted over our rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse Memorial. A place where 49 mostly LGBTQ+ people were murdered. A tragedy that we have worked so hard to find power in pain. A rainbow crosswalk that sparked joy and showed our love for all people,” Eskamani said in a statement posted on X.com.

“It was never a political statement, and caring about people of all backgrounds is not meant to be a political statement. And, more visible crosswalks help to increase visibility and safety too,” she added.

We have reached out to FDOT to confirm and are waiting to hear back.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando also released a statement about the removal:

“We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue. 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.  

The City of Orlando’s safety crosswalks were all installed in close coordination with the state and adhere to national safety standards. In fact, the crosswalk that is part of the Pulse Memorial was installed by the state.  

This crosswalk not only enhanced safety and visibility for the large number of pedestrians visiting the memorial, it also served as a visual reminder of Orlando’s commitment to honor the 49 lives taken on June 12, 2016.  

While the state works to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy by painting over the crosswalk, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49, and completing the memorial, will never waver." 

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, called the removal “a disgusting act of betrayal.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis replied to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith’s post on social media, saying, “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”

Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan said the crosswalk was put in because, after the 2016 attack, hundreds of people came to pay their respects at the nightclub.

She called the governor’s move “a slap in the face.”

“And if they are so proud of it, why did they do it in the middle of the night?” Sheehan said.

Later in the day, several people came and colored the crosswalk in with chalk, at least temporarily replacing the rainbow.

Survivor Joshua Hernandez shared, “I was there for three hours in the restroom. I got shot two times.”

He was visiting his mother from Puerto Rico when he heard the crosswalk had been painted over. He described the move as a homophobic and political attack by the state, adding that it was disrespectful to the survivors and the 49 angels who lost their lives.

“It’s sad they did this because this has been here from day one,” he said.

The FDOT later shared a statement with News 6, which reads as follows:

“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."

Florida Department of Transportation