Painted over, colored in, and painted over again — what was an approved rainbow crosswalk outside of the former Pulse Nightclub is now black and white again.
Early Sunday, the Florida Department of Transportation repainted the rainbow memorial crosswalk to black and white. And now, police are monitoring the site.
From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
The DOT repainted the crosswalk on Esther Street at South Orange Avenue after colored paint was used on the crossing on Saturday. Previously, supporters had been using chalk to draw back the rainbow colors, but rain washed that away.
A squad of Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando Police Department officers surveilled the dozen people who were using chalk on the rainbow crosswalk on Sunday. Advocates said it was an intimidation tactic.
Last week saw hundreds gather to repaint the rainbow crosswalk in chalk after state transportation officials removed it in the middle of the night without warning.
The crosswalk was part of the state’s most significant sites for the LGBTQ community after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49.
Watch the local news report below.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched the federal initiative of removing crosswalk art – which disproportionately affects rainbow crosswalks – stating that roads should be for safety, not for “political banners or artwork.”
But when it comes to safety, a 2022 study by Bloomberg Philanthropies analyzed traffic crash data at 17 locations, including seven in South Florida.
And guess what they found?
“The analysis found significantly improved safety performance across a variety of measures during periods when asphalt art was installed,” wrote Sam Schwartz, who prepared the study.
The results of the study showed:
• 50% decrease in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians or other vulnerable road users
• 25% decrease in pedestrian crossings involving a conflict with drivers
• 27% increase in frequency of drivers immediately yielding to pedestrians with the right of way
• 17% decrease in the total crash rate
There’s ZERO evidence that rainbow crosswalks negatively affect safety. None. It’s all bullshit. In fact, a 2022 study evaluated 17 intersections with “asphalt art” — including rainbow crosswalks — and compared crash rates before and after the artwork was applied: 50% decrease. https://t.co/ohLEhMkTl7 pic.twitter.com/kg7a94335D
— Martyn Schmoll (@martynschmoll) August 23, 2025
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