Two protests took place in Broward County Monday night in response to a state directive ordering cities to remove artwork from crosswalks or risk losing state and federal funding.
Many of the affected crosswalks feature rainbow designs representing the LGBTQ+ community, which activists say are being politically targeted.
Protest in Wilton Manors
In Wilton Manors, more than 100 people gathered on the Rainbow Bridge just before sunset as storm clouds approached.
The iconic landmark, while not an actual crosswalk, has become a well-known symbol of LGBTQ+ pride on Wilton Drive. Protesters said they fear it could be the next target.
“It’s a scary time, and we need to bring the masses out,” one protester said. “This isn’t okay. This isn’t okay to try to erase us, it isn’t okay to attack our communities.”
Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” echoed through the crowd as demonstrators waved signs and called on supporters to remember the issue at the ballot box in November.
State order and cities on notice
Last week, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale were among several cities that received official notices from the Florida Department of Transportation.
The order requires the removal of what the agency describes as “non-compliant surface pavement art that is associated with social, political, or ideological messages or images and does not serve the purpose of traffic control.”
Officials argue that the colorful designs could distract drivers and put pedestrians at risk.
But LGBTQ+ advocates push back, saying the data shows otherwise.
“Statistically the colored crosswalks show safer crosswalks and fewer car crashes,” one critic said. “Secondly, they’re removing it without due process. They’re issuing this letter to the cities and not giving them a chance to appeal.”
The city of Fort Lauderdale has called an emergency meeting this week to discuss how to handle a state order to remove a rainbow crosswalk or lose critical funding. NBC6’s Jamie Guirola reports
The Fort Lauderdale notice specifically cited a Pride flag painting on a dead-end street that isn’t even a crosswalk, along with two other intersections that were not LGBTQ+ themed. In Miami Beach, only the rainbow crosswalk at 12th Street and Ocean Drive was named.
Other cities on notice include Delray Beach, Key West, Orlando, and St. Petersburg. In Coral Gables, non-LGBTQ+ street art by a Venezuelan artist is already being painted over.
Political motives questioned
Activists say the move is part of a broader effort to marginalize LGBTQ+ visibility in Florida.
“This is just them trying to once again make us go back in the closet,” one protester said. “It’s just like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation, which is all meant so people don’t talk about us, so that we don’t exist, so that we have to live in hiding.”
What’s next
Wilton Manors has not received any official notice regarding the Rainbow Bridge or other artwork, according to the city’s mayor.
Fort Lauderdale’s mayor has called a special meeting this week to address the order, and Miami Beach officials say they plan to appeal. Both cities have until Sept. 4 to comply.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
