JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Activists and artists alike unveiled a new mural in Jacksonville\u2019s Five Points Thursday morning, honoring the area\u2019s LGBTQ history. <\/p>\n
In August 2025, the rainbow crosswalks, along with the one near the new mural on Park and Lomax Streets in Riverside, was ordered painted over by FDOT and Governor Ron DeSantis. Local community activists put UP the MURAL in response to showcase what they say is the diversity of the community. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis beautiful mural honors the wide spectrum of community members in the unique colorful diversity,\u201d said Richard Ceriello, Executive Director of AIDS Memorial Project NE Florida. <\/p>\n
The mural titled \u201cThe Constellation of Us\u201d is 1700 sf ft, costs $130,000 to create, and received its title during its unveiling.<\/p>\n
It showcases what the Riverside Avondale Preservation organization calls a \u201crainbow color spectrum\u201d.<\/p>\n
Along with some assistance, the painting is the handiwork of artist Shaun Thurston, who tells Action News Jax he toiled through rain and all-over 8- to 17-hour days spanning three weeks to craft this painting, which portrays actual community members. <\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single person, 100% of people I interacted with, were supportive and complementary\u201d said Thurston. <\/p>\n
Action News Jax told you that a June 2025 FDOT memo said that \u2018non-standard\u2019 surface markings \u201ccan lead to distractions or misunderstandings,\u201d jeopardizing safety for drivers and pedestrians, leading colored crosswalks of all types to be painted over. <\/p>\n
Similarly, in 2024, Governor DeSantis ordered state bridges to be restricted to red, white, and blue LIGHTING DISPLAYS during summer months \u2014 which included June, Pride Month. <\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t interpret it as anything other than using law to control traffic flow,\u201d said Thurston. <\/p>\n
As for others seeing the situation differently: \u201cI don\u2019t know how others saw it, but sure\u201d<\/p>\n
Others like Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso spoke passionately about the message behind the mural. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis governor has made it his mission to go above and beyond and trying to erase certain groups in the state. And he\u2019s using the power of the government to do that\u201d said Peluso. Action News Jax reached out to the governor for comment on Peluso\u2019s remarks. <\/p>\n
Thurston, the mural\u2019s creator, ultimately responded to the differing interpretations of the state government crosswalk policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause if people put in the time to add color to the neighborhood and that color represented a diverse humanity that it represented LGBTQ and they felt seen, to have that covered over, probably did feel personal, so I responded to the scene being erased,\u201d said Thurston. <\/p>\n
As for whether the mural was a WAY TO skirt around the governor\u2019s policies, Peluso says he follows the law; the mural is community members representing themselves, in a place that just so happened to be behind the sidewalk.<\/p>\n
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