DeSantis Removes Woke Rainbow Crosswalk, Infuriates the Left

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is once again triggering the Left by doing what he does best standing up to woke symbolism masquerading as public policy.

This time, the flashpoint is a rainbow-painted crosswalk in Orlando a “memorial” to the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that has become a battleground in the larger fight over whether taxpayer-funded roads should double as political statements. On July 1, after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a directive requiring all governors to comply with federal guidelines on uniform traffic markings, DeSantis took action.

His order? Paint it over. Restore the crosswalk to standard white for visibility and safety. Simple. Clear. Legal.

But the Left lost its mind.

Orlando’s Democrat Mayor Buddy Dyer blasted the move as “callous” and a “cruel political act,” claiming the rainbow paint was both a safety enhancement and a tribute to “honor the 49 lives taken.” State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith ranted that it was done “in the middle of the night,” suggesting some kind of government conspiracy as if complying with federal law is now a radical act.

Here’s the truth:

• The crosswalk was a political symbol nothing more.

• It violated federal safety guidelines and distracted from the crosswalk’s core purpose: protecting pedestrians.

• The Florida Department of Transportation had already warned cities across the state to remove non-compliant markings or risk losing transportation funds.

DeSantis made the right call, and his response was pitch-perfect:
“We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”

That’s leadership.

This isn’t about disrespecting victims of tragedy it’s about not allowing one ideological group to hijack public spaces for their political messaging. Memorials belong in cemeteries, museums, and private gatherings not on crosswalks that are supposed to serve every citizen, regardless of political views.

And while activists rushed to rechalk the rainbow colors on the street like petulant children, real Floridians are cheering.

Online reactions captured by Twitchy said it best. “Stop painting sidewalks, crosswalks and roads for any group cause. All it does is make people more irritated with you.” “Common sense > woke symbolism.” “DeSantis doesn’t play!”

They’re right. Americans are tired of having every square inch of public life politicized. Roads are for driving, crosswalks are for walking not for activism.

The people crying about this move don’t actually care about safety, unity, or respect. They care about control. And when someone like DeSantis disrupts their narrative and strips away their visual propaganda, they melt down because their grip on the culture slips.

This is why 2024 matters. These aren't just symbolic fights they're the front lines in the battle for sanity.

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