AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is complying with Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s order to remove street markings while considering other ways to exhibit pride and diversity in the city.<\/p>\n
Watson\u2019s decision comes a week after the governor threatened to pull funding from cities that don\u2019t obey his orders to remove \u201cpolitical ideologies\u201d from streets<\/a>. The move angered communities supportive of Austin\u2019s LGBTQ+ pride rainbow crosswalk and \u201cBlack Artists Matter\u201d street mural.<\/p>\n In a statement to city council members, Watson said the city would \u201ccomply with state law.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n In response, Watson said he\u2019s developing a proposal to represent the city\u2019s \u201cdiverse community, show our love and pride, and allow Austinites to participate in expression.\u201d<\/p>\n The mayor suggested alternatives such as banners along Bettie Naylor Street \u2014 where the rainbow crosswalk is located \u2014 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 \u201cBlack Artists Matter\u201d mural lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWith 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,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n Austin\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n