ORLANDO, Fla. — Many are reacting to the removal of the Pulse memorial crosswalk.
State crews painted over the rainbow crosswalk in Orlando overnight. The removal comes after the federal government started cracking down on public buildings and streets being used for political statements. But many in Orlando say the Pulse memorial crosswalk is a remembrance of the 49 people who died in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
The crosswalk, initially painted by Florida Department of Transportation crews, was removed without prior notification to the city, leading to public outcry and emotional reactions from residents and local leaders.
“I’m angry, I’m in a state of shock,” said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, expressing his dismay over the removal of the memorial.
In a statement, Mayor Buddy Dyer said, “We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue. This callous action of hastily removing part of a memorial to what was at the time our nation’s largest mass shooting, without any supporting safety data, or discussion is a cruel political act. The City of Orlando’s safety crosswalks were all installed in close coordination with the state and adhere to national safety standards. In fact, the crosswalk that is part of the Pulse Memorial was installed by the state. This crosswalk not only enhanced safety and visibility for the large number of pedestrians visiting the memorial, it also served as a visual reminder of Orlando’s commitment to honor the 49 lives taken on June 12, 2016. While the state works to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy by painting over the crosswalk, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49, and completing the memorial.”
Orlando resident Dallas Perdue, who used chalk to recreate the rainbow, said, “Just fixing what shouldn’t have been painted in the first place.”
The removal of the rainbow crosswalk, which held significant meaning for the Orlando community, has led to a large outpouring of emotion. Some residents were visibly upset, with some crying at the scene.
Local leaders, including Dyer and Commissioner Patty Sheehan, quickly arrived at the site to address the situation. Sheehan claimed the removal was an act against diversity and inclusion.
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine said he had no involvement in the removal but supports the broader initiative to remove political statements from public spaces, aligning with the actions taken by the Trump administration.
Perdue says she’ll keep coloring the crosswalk, saying “We’re not hurting anybody, not harming anything, not defacing anything. It’s washable. If it takes me being out here every single day, then so be it.”
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