Florida FDOT Enforces Statewide Ban on "Surface Art," Threatening Funds and Removing Rainbow Crosswalks
Florida's FDOT is enforcing a new "surface art" ban, threatening to withhold funds from cities and already removing Orlando's Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk, sparking criticism from local officials.
ABC NewsFlorida puts rainbow crosswalks in the crosshairs, as cities face deadlines to remove them
Associated PressFlorida puts rainbow crosswalks in the crosshairs, as cities face deadlines to remove them
NewsmaxDefiant Orlando Residents Restore Pulse Rainbow Crosswalk
NewsmaxDefiant Orlando Residents Restore Pulse Rainbow Crosswalk
Overview
Florida's Department of Transportation (FDOT) is enforcing a new statewide ban on "surface art" on public roads, threatening to withhold funds from cities that refuse to remove existing installations.
FDOT recently painted over Orlando's Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk, installed in 2017 to honor victims of the 2016 nightclub shooting, late Wednesday night, sparking immediate controversy.
Orlando officials strongly criticized FDOT's action, viewing the removal of the Pulse Memorial crosswalk as an attack on LGBTQ lives by the Republican governor's administration.
Delray Beach and Key West have also received notifications from FDOT regarding their rainbow crosswalks, despite Orlando officials asserting the Pulse crosswalk met all safety standards.
FDOT Assistant Secretary Will Watts issued a memo banning "surface art," but both the department and Governor DeSantis' office have declined to comment on the controversial new policy.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting a balanced account of the dispute over rainbow crosswalks. They attribute all strong opinions and evaluative language to the various stakeholders, avoiding editorial bias. The coverage focuses on reporting the facts, the differing justifications, and the ongoing impact on Florida cities.