Recently, the Trump administration issued an order to the Florida Department of Transportation to remove all non-safety-related art from crosswalks. This was a targeted attack on a specific piece: the Pulse Nightclub corner’s rainbow memorial crosswalk. Overnight, in secret, and with no discussion or input from the community that created it, the memorial of the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub - a symbol of the Orlando LGBTQ+ community’s resilience despite bigoted violence - was removed. 

The Pulse Memorial Crosswalk was not just a piece of art; it was a critical part of our community's healing process. It stood as a vibrant reminder of the lives we lost and a testament to our strength in the face of hatred. This egregious action has not only desecrated the memorial but also disrespected the continued fight for equality and acceptance it represented.

The removal of this memorial is an act of blatant disregard for the Orlando community, especially those directly impacted by the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub.

We call upon the Florida Department of Transportation to acknowledge the cultural and emotional significance of the Pulse Memorial Crosswalk and to reverse its decision. Push back. Stand for your people; not for the erasure that leads to the kind of  violence our community suffered on this very corner. 

“Removed Overnight”​

“No notice, no warning.”​

A “cruel political act,” says Mayor Buddy Dyer