ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol placed three people in handcuffs on Sunday during a protest near the crosswalk outside of the former Pulse nightclub.

According to a news release, a “Chalk For Pride” event was scheduled for 6 p.m. at South Orange Avenue and West Esther Street to protest the removal of “Pride crosswalks” and the “abuse of laws that threaten our freedom of expression.”

Protesters have been at the crosswalk every day for more than a week since the Florida Department of Transportation removed the rainbow crosswalk at S Orange Avenue and W Esther Street .

On Friday night — Orestes Sebastian Suarez, 29 — was arrested after being accused of using chalk to color the bottom of his shoe before crossing the road, leaving footprints. Suarez faced a charge of defacing

See Full Page