ORLANDO, Fla. — One year after the Florida Department of Transportation painted over the rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse memorial in Orlando, protesters and city leaders say efforts to restore it continue. The crosswalk on North Orange Avenue was covered with black and white paint to align with state guidelines, according to the city. Since then, all colorful crosswalks in Orlando have been covered.
James Houchins, a protester who has led a chalking effort at the site, said he was shocked when the crosswalk was repainted.
“I was like, what cruel world are we living in?” Houchins said.
Houchins said the response has since grown into an organized effort. He said protesters have formed bonds through the ongoing chalking and plan to continue their work.
“It has been a year. We are not going to stop chalking,” Houchins said.
Houchins said he has been at the site nearly every day and was arrested at one point. He said he is planning legal action against the state, claiming his right to protest was violated.
“What they meant to silence us has done nothing but kind of hand over a megaphone and say we are not going to leave,” Houchins said.
Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said the city has tried to appeal the state’s decision but has made no progress over the past year. She said city leaders have limited control because North Orange Avenue is a state-owned road.
“To deface a memorial was a disgusting thing to do, and I am very upset about it,” Sheehan said.
After the Pulse crosswalk was repainted, the city received a letter saying 18 other colorful crosswalks in Orlando also needed to be covered, according to Sheehan.
“Why would you be so angry about rainbows and a memorial that you throw public safety out the window? It makes no sense,” Sheehan said. “The safer they are because the more visible. That is why we did all these painted crosswalks.”
The Florida Department of Transportation has not responded to repeated requests for information over the past year, including new requests this week asking how many trips crews have made to the crosswalk and how much public money has been spent on the effort.
Sheehan said she believes the city’s next option is a change in administration.
“I think it is the governor’s race, I really do,” Sheehan said.
Sheehan said if there is a new governor, city leaders plan to file another appeal with the state to bring the rainbow crosswalk back. Houchins said he hopes restoring the crosswalk will be among the next governor’s first actions.