Protests and arrests are mounting across Florida as a statewide directive from the Florida Department of Transportation to remove decorative street art meets with resistance from local communities and government officials.
According to a report, three more people were arrested on Sunday after using chalk to color a repainted crosswalk outside the Pulse memorial. The arrests are the latest in a series of conflicts across Florida as the FDOT continues to enforce new guidelines.
In St. Petersburg, two pastors were arrested after they used prayer to block crews from painting over a “Black History Matters” street mural, according to a report by The Associated Press.
In Tampa, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning Gov. Ron DeSantis’s policy, with officials stating they feel “held hostage by Tallahassee” by a rule that could impact their transportation funding. Tampa is set to remove street art from 47 locations in the coming weeks.
FDOT has said the new manual prohibits “non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads.”
DeSantis has defended the statewide action, stating that the legislature recently passed a law that holds, “there’s no street art allowed.” He noted that the directive applies to any subject, including “Blue Lives Matter.”
The resolution passed by the Tampa City Council argues that their “Crosswalks to Classrooms” program was previously recognized by the FDOT as a safety enhancement. The resolution calls on the state to “respect local decision-making authority and to allow communities the freedom to express themselves through public art and design.”
State transportation crews began painting over the iconic checkered flag crosswalks at Daytona International Speedway last week.
FDOT has also issued deadlines for other cities, including Key West, Miami Beach, and Delray Beach to remove their pride crosswalks.
The state’s position has been met with resistance from local leaders and community members in various cities. They argue that the decorative crosswalks, regardless of their theme, are symbols of community identity and, in some cases, memorials.