We, the undersigned residents of Austin, TX, call on the City of Austin to protect our beloved "Black Artists Matter" and LGBTQ+ pride sidewalks. Our sidewalks are iconic reflections of the beautiful diversity of the capital city of Texas.  Recent threat to remove Austin's iconic pride crosswalks celebrating the contributions of LGBTQ+ and Black Artists to the economic and cultural fabric of our city.

PETITION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN
Protect Our Pride Crosswalks: Symbols of Safety and Community

To: Mayor Kirk Watson, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, Council Member Zo Qadri, Austin City Council, and City Managers

We, the undersigned residents of Austin, TX, call on the City of Austin to protect our beloved "Black Artists Matter" and LGBTQ+ pride sidewalks.

Rainbow crosswalks are a global symbol of inclusion, safety, and belonging. The rainbow intersection at 4th and Colorado, and the "Black Artists Matter" street paint on 11th street identify cultural districts that people visit from all over the world.

They symbolize the contributions of LGBTQ+ and Black Artists to the economic and cultural fabric of our city. The Pride sidewalks in Austin stand as a visible reminder of the hard-won civil rights of Black and LGBTQ communities, who continue to struggle for justice and equality in Texas. Preserving these symbols honors the resilience and progress of those who fought for — and continue to fight — for dignity, recognition, and equal rights.

Our Demands:

1. Public Commitment from the City of Austin to preserve the 4th street rainbow intersection and 11th street Black Artists Matter street paint permanently as cultural landmarks.
2. Rejection of State-Level Interference seeking to remove, alter, or defund these and similar community art. Texas State Constitution guarantees municipalities like the City of Austin the right to representation and self-governance by those we elect. As our elected officials, we demand that your commitment to protecting the harmless symbols of our communities.
3. Transparency regarding any communications or directives from the Governor’s office that may impact public art and community representation.
4. Expansion and Protection of inclusive public symbols in Austin, including LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities.

Why This Matters:

• The Pride crosswalks are not political statements — they are cultural art, reflective of the communities they highlight. They designate safe spaces and highlight the cultural and economic contributions of Black and LGBTQ+ Austinites.
• Removing or censoring these symbols sends a message of exclusion, especially to LGBTQ+ and Black youth who already face high rates of criminalization, discrimination and mental health struggles.
• Austin considers itself a safe, inclusive, and progressive city in a state that is actively trying to reverse our hard-won civil rights. Now more than ever, our city must lead by example and continue to protect

Austin is a beacon of creativity, with the best art culture, live music scene, and nightlife in Texas. Our tourist attractions, music festivals, and businesses are powered by Black and LBGTQ+ artists, musicians, professionals, and entrepreneurs. 

We call on the City of Austin to take swift and decisive action to protect these vital symbols of identity, resistance, and pride. Don't let political grandstanding from a Governor concerned about re-election de-color our beautiful city.

If we allow literal erasure of our communities from the streets of our city - what will the Governor come for next?