In July 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy issued a Safe Roads memo to all 50 states. It directed the removal of non-standard markings, including rainbow designs, claiming roads must be free of political messages and distractions.Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memo citing its authority under the FDOT Design Manual. It stated that all pavement markings must comply with state standards. FDOT canwithhold state transportation fundsfrom agencies that dont comply, and can remove non-compliant markings themselves if needed. So far, cities including Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach have removed their rainbow crosswalks. Others like Key West are seeking options to keep the crosswalks or delay their removal. On Aug. 21, the Florida Department of Transportation removed the rainbow crosswalk in Orlando, which has served as a memorial for the 49 people killed, and 53 wounded in the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016. The city had received the memo to remove the crosswalk, but according to reporting by Watermark Out News, it was done without approval from the city. According to SenatorCarlos Guillermo Smith, FDOT did not get approval from the city. They just vandalized the site overnight, in the middle of the night, and they did it in the middle of the night because they know what they did was wrong.The crosswalk near Pulse Aug. 21. Photo: Bellanee Plaza/WatermarkSince the removal, community members have gathered to protest and have subsequently replaced the rainbow colors with chalk and names of those lost at Pulse. Protesters gathered at the crosswalk, covering nearby trees with rainbow ribbons and holding up signs and flags for motorists driving by. For local coverage of this developing story, check out Watermark Out News, representing central Florida. The post Orlando community restores Pulse rainbow crosswalk with chalk appeared first on News Is Out.