ORLANDO, Fla. – A crosswalk outside the former Pulse nightclub continues to sit at the center of a months-long, statewide controversy — one that escalated this week when two protesters were arrested for using chalk to recolor the crosswalk.
The crosswalk, located along Orange Avenue at the site of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was installed in 2017 as a tribute to the 49 lives lost and to symbolize inclusion and LGBTQ pride. However, it was removed in August, following a recent directive from the Trump administration.
For some, the artwork had served as part of a memorial honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 mass shooting at the LGBTQ nightclub.
James Houchins, one of the protesters taken into custody, says the fight is far from over.
“I thought — how stupid,” Houchins said, recalling the Nov. 23 arrest.
He and fellow activist Austin Trahan were taken into custody after chalking the word ‘RESIST’ and adding colors back to the crosswalk.
“We were told that morning around 8 o’clock that FDOT came through, washed everything, and removed everything. After that, we came back to re-chalk, recolor, and put flags back out.”
Houchins said the rainbow crosswalk had become a significant part of the community’s remembrance efforts.
“Forty-nine victims — this was part of the memorial until the state came in and ripped it up like it was nothing. So continuing this fight until those colors are returned — it hits deep.”
Initially, both men faced a felony criminal mischief charge. A judge later found no probable cause for the felony but did find probable cause for a lesser misdemeanor charge to move forward.
FDOT and the Florida Highway Patrol have argued that a crosswalk is a “traffic control device,” and altering it — even with chalk — violates state regulations. Houchins and other advocates dispute that interpretation.
When asked whether he plans to continue chalking the crosswalk, Houchins didn’t hesitate. “Yes — the chalking won’t stop.”
To many passersby, Houchins said, it may seem like just a crosswalk. But for him and others in Orlando’s LGBTQ community, it represents something larger.
“Continuing to show up for me is a fight back that you’re not going to erase me, and you won’t erase my community,” he said. “We are not going to fight or go away silently. Stonewall started with a brick, and in Florida, it starts with chalk.”
News 6 has reached out to FDOT and FHP for comment regarding the arrests and is awaiting a response.
Houchins says the movement now looks toward Day 100 on Saturday — another milestone in a protest he insists will continue.
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