Rainbow returns to Orlando crosswalk after Florida paints over tribute to Pulse victims

ORLANDO, Fla. – Earlier this week, Florida transportation officials covered the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse Nightclub, a tribute dedicated to the 49 victims of the 2016 tragedy.

The removal of the crosswalk has sparked significant public outcry and has brought attention to the fate of other pieces of street art across Orlando.

[VIDEO: Rainbow crosswalk near Pulse Nightclub in Orlando removed overnight]

Since the removal, demonstrators have gathered at the site, filling the crosswalk and surrounding sidewalks with chalk.

People like Sam Sharpless showed up to the Pulse Memorial Site on Saturday to pay their respects.

“Well, I’m really disappointed in the state in taking that action and really it’s not just this crosswalk, the whole street’s crosswalks have been reset,” Sharpless said.

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In response to concerns, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) sent the city of Orlando a letter on Aug. 21 outlining a list of 18 street art locations deemed non-compliant with state design standards and slated for removal. Interestingly, the Pulse rainbow crosswalk was not included in this list.

You are further notified that if the markings are removed by the Department, all costs associated with the removal will be assessed against City of Orlando. You may avoid these costs by removing the pavement markings and then notifying the Department of compliance immediately. Please note that the Department will pursue withholding of state funds as permitted by the law should City of Orlando reverse course and decide not to comply.

FDOT

[WATCH: Florida officials sent Orlando a list of crosswalk art to be removed. Pulse wasn’t on it]

“It’s kind of disheartening,” Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose said. “The state approved it, understood what it was, and to just not give any notification and just paint over the crosswalk — it’s really disheartening.”

The removal of the Pulse crosswalk comes nearly two months after a directive from the Trump administration ordering the removal of what it calls “distracting” road art.

“Billboards are distracting,” Sanford resident Ricardo Padilla said. “Colorful signs on the Dunkin’ Donuts is distracting. We have to change everything? Why can’t we have a colorful sidewalk that represents people that I love?”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent letters to all 50 governors urging the removal of any roadway markings or political messages not directly related to pedestrian or driver safety.

As for what’s next for Orlando, Rose said the city plans to show the benefits of its crosswalks and intersections that include street art.

“So, we’re going to continue to kind of tell our case about our enhanced crosswalks and show the data of how it has improves lives and how it has saved lives and then just kind of go from there,” Rose said.

There is another intersection that includes crosswalks with street art that appears to have not been included in FDOT’s list, located at Bumby Avenue and Central Boulevard in the Milk District. It’s unclear whether that intersection is also not in compliance.