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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fired again after Democratic state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith decried the state’s transfer to nix rainbow colours from a crosswalk in Orlando close to the location of the 2016 mass capturing on the Pulse nightclub that left 49 useless and others wounded.
In a video that he posted on Thursday, the state lawmaker stated “the Florida Division of Transportation, in the course of the evening, ripped the rainbow colours off of this metropolis crosswalk.”
Responding to a media outlet’s submit on X which featured Smith’s video, DeSantis asserted, “We won’t enable our state roads to be commandeered for political functions.”
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters throughout a press convention as he stands on the airplane runway of Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, Florida, on July 25, 2025 (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photographs)
“The rainbow crosswalk was APPROVED by FDOT years in the past to honor the 49 + improve pedestrian security for individuals who come to pay their respects. You appeared survivors within the eye + promised they’d by no means be forgotten– then betrayed them for political ambition. They will not be erased,” Smith fired again in a submit.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has additionally decried the Sunshine State’s transfer.
“We’re devastated to be taught that in a single day the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue. This callous motion of rapidly eradicating a part of a memorial to what was on the time our nation’s largest mass capturing, with none supporting security knowledge or dialogue, is a merciless political act,” Dyer stated in a assertion issued on Thursday.
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On left, the crosswalk is proven in 2017. On proper, the crosswalk is pictured on Thursday, Aug. 21. 2025 (Orlando Sentinel file picture/Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photographs)
“The Metropolis of Orlando’s security crosswalks have been all put in in shut coordination with the state and cling to nationwide security requirements. Actually, the crosswalk that’s a part of the Pulse Memorial was put in by the state,” he continued.
FDOT offered Fox Information Digital with a prolonged assertion on Friday.
The division asserted that it should “guarantee the security and consistency of public roadways and transportation programs,” which “means making certain our roadways are usually not utilized for social, political, or ideological pursuits.”
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Building gear is seen behind the “Welcome to Orlando” signal outdoors the Central Florida Fairgrounds on Nov. 24, 2024 in Orlando, Fla. (Julia Beverly/Getty Photographs)
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“Earlier this yr, the Division accomplished a months-long strategy of updating the Guide on Uniform Site visitors Management Units (MUTCD) with enter from representatives of state and native governments. This replace included a prohibition on non-uniform visitors management gadgets, equivalent to pavement markings on state and native roads,” the assertion continued. “In June, FDOT notified all native governments of those updates and revised provisions of Florida Statutes that give the Division authority to withhold state funds for noncompliance. This was adopted by comparable coverage updates from USDOT Secretary Duffy.
“Final week, native governments not in compliance for native roads started receiving notifications to convey their roadways as much as state requirements to make sure locals govern themselves accordingly,” FDOT added. “Along with making certain all native governments comply, FDOT accomplished a overview of all state-maintained roadways and is now correcting pavement markings not in compliance. That features road artwork beforehand put in on state proper of method, such because the intersection of Orange Avenue in query.
FDOT’s assertion concluded, “Transportation infrastructure is for the motion of individuals and items. On this case, whereas the crosswalk has been restored to its correct kind, native efforts are underway to assemble a everlasting memorial on adjoining properties funded by the State of Florida. Any try and recommend in any other case is fake.”
