AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is complying with Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to remove street markings while considering other ways to exhibit pride and diversity in the city.
Watson’s decision comes a week after the governor threatened to pull funding from cities that don’t obey his orders to remove “political ideologies” from streets. The move angered communities supportive of Austin’s LGBTQ+ pride rainbow crosswalk and “Black Artists Matter” street mural.
In a statement to city council members, Watson said the city would “comply with state law.” Failing to remove the paint could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars and additional grant opportunities for the city, the mayor said, and there are about 16 locations with markings that could be in violation of the order.
In response, Watson said he’s developing a proposal to represent the city’s “diverse community, show our love and pride, and allow Austinites to participate in expression.”
The mayor suggested alternatives such as banners along Bettie Naylor Street — where the rainbow crosswalk is located — potential permanent fixtures on sidewalks or utility poles and painted sidewalks. He added that these could be implemented in the East 11th Street area as well, where the “Black Artists Matter” mural lives.
“With all the needs we have in this state, it’s disappointing and a waste of time to be talking about this. Austin will comply with state law and we’ll demonstrate our love for all Austinites in other ways. We have a lot of pride. We’ll live it and we’ll show it,” Watson said.
Austin’s rainbow crosswalk was vandalized Monday when someone threw a bucket of red paint on it during a demonstration in support of keeping the crosswalk, according to KXAN.
In a video posted to Instagram by local activist and drag performer Brigitte Bandit, the paint was cleaned off shortly after with the help of the Austin Fire Department and nearby restaurant Traphouse Caribbean. The act garnered applause and demonstrators took photos on the freshly cleaned crosswalk afterward.