Orlando residents fight with DeSantis over Pulse rainbow crosswalk

In 2017, a crosswalk near the former Pulse nightclub — the LGBTQ+ club in Orlando where 49 people were killed in a 2016 mass shooting — was painted with rainbow colors as a memorial. For eight years, it stood as a quiet symbol of Pride and remembrance, until the night of Thursday, Aug. 21, when workers from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Department of Transportation painted over the rainbow colors.

The action was taken in support of a recent directive from the Trump administration. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 governors urging them to keep intersections free of political messages, artwork and any markings not directly tied to pedestrian or driver safety.

“Taxpayers expect their dollars to

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