Rainbow Crosswalks Removed in Montrose After Governor Abbott's Directive

Removal of Rainbow Crosswalks in Montrose

• 🏳️‍🌈 Rainbow crosswalks in Houston's Montrose neighborhood have been removed following a directive from Governor Greg Abbott.
• 🏗️ Crews spent over 7 hours repaving the intersection of Westheimer and Taft, reopening it after the removal.
• protest demonstrators gathered to protest the removal, with several being detained for blocking crews.

Reasons and Reactions

• 🏛️ The directive from Governor Abbott called for the removal of what he described as "political ideologies" from roadways, stemming from a summer directive by the Trump administration.
• 💰 Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated that the Department of Transportation threatened to withhold federal funding if the crosswalks were not removed.
• 🗣️ Critics argue that the removal is a distraction and a vilification of the LGBT community, diverting attention from more urgent issues like air quality and public safety.
• 💔 Some protesters emphasized that the crosswalks served as a memorial for victims of hit-and-run incidents, extending beyond just the LGBT community.

Previous Removals and Ongoing Issues

• 🚧 This is the second time in less than two months that the crosswalks have been removed; they were temporarily taken down for road repairs and repainted just weeks ago.
• ⏳ Metro and the mayor's office have been contacted for comment, but responses are still pending.
• 📍 The intersection at Westheimer and Taft is now officially back open for business with the rainbow colors gone.