A rainbow-colored crosswalk in Miami Beach was removed over the weekend following an order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that banned decorative street art on public roadways across the state, as reported by The Blaze.
The Florida Department of Transportation dismantled the art installation early Sunday morning. The crosswalk, located in the heart of Miami Beach’s entertainment district, had been installed in November 2018 as a Pride-themed symbol representing the LGBTQ community.
The removal sparked backlash from activists and city officials. Several drag performers gathered at the site as work crews lifted the bricks and hauled them away. “Our pride is getting erased just like that,” said drag performer CC Glitzer. “It’s very painful.”
Another performer, TP Lourdes, said the display had symbolic meaning for many residents. “This represents blood, sweat, and tears. It tears my heart to see it go,” Lourdes told WPLG-TV. “They might take this away, but they didn’t take the love and memories we’ve built here.”
According to local officials, the city received no advance notice before the Florida Department of Transportation began the removal. DeSantis had previously ordered that decorative crosswalks and murals be taken down statewide, citing concerns about safety and proper use of public roadways.
“I think the street art got out of hand. I think it’s much better that we use crosswalks and streets for their intended purpose,” DeSantis said in a prior statement.
Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez criticized the decision and questioned the cost of the operation. “Why waste taxpayer dollars to remove something safe, beautiful, iconic, and embraced by everyone?” Fernandez said.
He added that the city’s appeal to block the state order was denied just days before the removal took place.
Fernandez said the colorful paver bricks were salvaged and will be repurposed.
“This represented decades of people who endured housing discrimination, expulsion from the military, workplace discrimination, the stigma of HIV and AIDS, the fight for marriage equality, all the hard-won battles that took the LGBTQ community from being marginalized to now being a visible, celebrated part of the community,” he said.
Governor DeSantis had warned that cities refusing to comply with the state directive could face suspension of state transportation funding.
The Associated Press reported that other street art projects had already been removed under the same order, including a “Back the Blue” mural outside Tampa Police Headquarters.
The rainbow crosswalk had been one of Miami Beach’s most photographed landmarks for visitors during annual Pride events. Its removal marks the latest in a series of state actions affecting local decisions related to public art and displays.
