Miami Beach Rainbow Crosswalk Removed by Florida DOT, Sparking Outrage

Removal of Iconic Rainbow Crosswalk

• 💔 An iconic rainbow crosswalk on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, a symbol of pride and inclusion for nearly seven years, was removed brick by brick over the weekend.
• 🚫 City officials stated they were not notified by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) prior to the removal.
• 🚧 The removal occurred on Sunday afternoon, with state work crews using heavy machinery, leaving the crosswalk black.

State Mandate and Community Reaction

• ⚠️ The FDOT cited a memo banning road designs tied to social, political, or ideological messages due to safety concerns.
• 🗣️ Miami Beach residents and LGBTQ+ advocates expressed shock, heartbreak, and devastation, viewing the removal as an act of erasing pride.
• 🎤 Drag performers and community members gathered, expressing pain and vowing to continue fighting for their community's visibility.

Future Hopes and Community Resilience

• 🏳️ The crosswalk, installed in 2018, was a beloved community pride landmark.
• 🙏 Advocates hope that after the current gubernatorial administration ends, they will be able to reinstall the rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach.
• 💪 Despite the removal, community members emphasized that the memories and love for their community remain, and they are not going anywhere.