ORLANDO, Fla. – New signs have appeared Friday morning outside the Pulse nightclub, warning that it’s illegal to deface the roadway or block traffic.
The postings went up overnight, just days after Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed controversy over repainted crosswalks across Orlando.
[WATCH BELOW: Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses controversy over rainbow crosswalk near Pulse]
For many, the messages at Pulse are about more than paint on the street. Protesters have been chalking the sidewalk outside the memorial since last week, writing messages of hope and remembrance.
“They are trying to use force. I mean, they’ve been trying since Thursday to kind of stop us from providing art to the community. It’s just part of their fascist agenda to be able to silence any voices that they don’t quite agree with,” protester Bubba Trahan said.
[SEE PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW: Rainbow crosswalk repainted outside Pulse; Florida troopers seen standing by]
The signs clarify what law enforcement has been warning; chalking the sidewalk is allowed, but chalking the street is off limits. Anyone who does so could face a criminal mischief charge.
“You know, the tragedy that happened here affects so many people. It’s such a wide cause for the LGBT community, the Latin community. And there’s just so many people involved and touched by this situation that the community can really come together,” Trahan said.
Earlier this week, DeSantis said the state is enforcing uniform rules statewide.
“This has been addressed statewide, not just on any issue under the sun … they’re doing it uniformly throughout the state. I think street art got out of hand and needs to be used for its intended purpose,” DeSantis said.
[WATCH BELOW: Florida officials sent Orlando a list of crosswalk art to be removed. Pulse wasn’t on it]
The Florida Department of Transportation confirmed it’s not just the Pulse rainbow crosswalk. Other designs around the region, including checkered flag patterns in Daytona, are also being replaced with standard white stripes.
Still, advocates say their sidewalk chalking will continue as a symbol that the memory of the 49 victims cannot be erased.
“You know, Orlando shines so bright. And it’s because of the people in our community who make it a better place,” Trahan said.
News 6 has asked FDOT, the Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando police who placed the signs and what penalties protesters could face for chalking the roadway. So far, no one has claimed responsibility.