Houston Leaders Vow to Fight Governor Abbott's Order to Remove Pride Crosswalks

Opposition to Governor Abbott's Directive

• 🏳️‍🌈 Local leaders in Houston are expressing strong opposition to Governor Greg Abbott's directive to remove the Montrose LGBTQ+ pride crosswalks.
• 🏛️ They view the order as an act of "content control" and "big government overreach."
• ⚖️ Many of the elected officials, who are attorneys themselves, are exploring legal action to challenge the directive.

Concerns Beyond Road Safety

• ⚠️ Governor Abbott cited road safety concerns and a federal advisory against political markings on roadways as reasons for the directive.
• 🗣️ However, Houston leaders argue that the removal is politically motivated rather than safety-related.
• ✊ They emphasize the need to stand up against such directives to protect community expression and LGBTQ+ visibility.

Historical Significance of the Crosswalks

• 🎨 The rainbow crosswalks at Taft and Westheimer were first painted in 2017.
• 💔 They were created in memory of Alex Hill, a community member who died at that location after a hit-and-run accident.
• 🌟 The project was funded by private donations and marked the first rainbow crosswalk in Texas.

Broader Implications of Removal

• 🚫 Officials warn that if this directive is allowed to stand, it could lead to further restrictions on community expression.
• 🗽 They frame the fight as being about the spirit of freedom and resisting overreach.

Timeline and Compliance

• ⏳ The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has 30 days to comply with the directive to remove the crosswalks.
• ❓ The exact start date of this 30-day period and TxDOT's specific plans have not yet been announced.