Rainbow crosswalk in downtown Orlando, near Pulse, again painted black overnight by FDOT

ORLANDO, Fla. - The rainbow crosswalk in downtown Orlando near the site of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting – at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history – was repainted black overnight, a day after people defiantly re-painted it in rainbow colors. People were back at the crosswalk appearing to use chalk to color over the black paint.

The federal government and the state of Florida have both issued new rules and standards in 2025 regarding crosswalks, seeking to remove alleged artwork or designs that are viewed as politically charged or distracting, and replace them with a uniform black-and-white-style crosswalk. Some officials and LGBTQ+ advocates see the move as the latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

Photos: Orlando crosswalk painted black against; advocates ready with chalk 

When was the Pulse rainbow crosswalk installed?

The crosswalk, near Orange Avenue and Esther Street, was originally installed in 2017, a year after 49 people were killed, and 53 people were hurt after a gunman opened fire inside the LGBTQ-friendly nightclub. At the time, state, county, and city officials approved the rainbow crosswalk, which has been widely seen as a memorial to those killed on June 12, 2016.

It also comes after years-long planning and advocacy to build a permanent memorial at the Pulse site collapsed after the OnePULSE Foundation crumbled amid questions about its leadership, goals, budget, and finances. The City of Orlando ultimately bought the Pulse nightclub property and has hired a firm to build the permanent memorial – which is expected to be completed in 2027.

Crosswalk safety or political messaging?

United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for the removal of certain crosswalk designs the administration deems politically charged and distracting. Duffy said the designs are distracting to drivers and detract from the core mission of driver and pedestrian safety. 

"Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork," Duffy said. 

DeSantis shared his thoughts in a post on X on Thursday, posting, "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes."

FOX 35 News reached out to FDOT for a comment last week and we received this response:

"As the state highway department, it is the duty of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems. That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests.

"Earlier this year, the Department completed a months-long process of updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) with input from representatives of state and local governments. This update included a prohibition on non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads.

"In June, FDOT notified all local governments of these updates and revised provisions of Florida Statutes that give the Department authority to withhold state funds for noncompliance. This was followed by similar policy updates from USDOT Secretary Duffy.

"Last week, local governments not in compliance for local roads began receiving notifications to bring their roadways up to state standards to ensure locals govern themselves accordingly.

"In addition to ensuring all local governments comply, FDOT completed a review of all state-maintained roadways and is now correcting pavement markings not in compliance. That includes street art previously installed on state right of way, such as the intersection of Orange Avenue in question.

"Transportation infrastructure is for the movement of people and goods. In this case, while the crosswalk has been restored to its proper form, local efforts are underway to construct a permanent memorial on adjacent properties funded by the State of Florida. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false."

What they're saying:

"The rainbow crosswalk at Pulse was created to honor the 49 lives stolen because of a mass shooting at the nightclub. A place of tragedy and remembrance, but one also of love and resilience. When activists repainted it in rainbow colors, they were reaffirming that legacy," Rep. Eskamani said in a statement. Eskamani has also announced her intention to run for Orlando mayor.

"FDOT’s decision to cover it in black paint is not only a waste of public money and time. It’s an erasure of memory, of visibility, and of the love Orlando continues to show in the face of hate. No amount of black paint can silence the 49 or erase our commitment to honoring all people."

List of Orlando crosswalks FDOT identifies as noncompliant with new rules

The Pulse Memorial crosswalk is not the only crosswalk in Orlando that FDOT has identified as noncompliant. FDOT has directed the city to correct at least 18 other decorative crosswalks or intersections by Sept. 4.

• S. Rosalind Ave at E. Jackson St – (Crosswalk) 
• Church St at S. Rosalind Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Magnolia Ave at E. Concord St – (Crosswalk) 
• Orange Ave at Concord St – (Crosswalk) 
• N. Orange Ave at E. Central Blvd – (Paver intersection) 
• S. Orange Ave at E. Pine St – (Paver intersection) 
• S. Orange Ave at Church St – (Paver intersection)
• Summerlin Ave at Washington St – (Crosswalk) 
• Amelia St at N. Hughey Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Amelia St at Ronald Blocker Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Amelia St at Chatham Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Amelia St at Putnam Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Livingston St at N. Hughey Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Central Blvd at N. Eola Dr – (Crosswalk) 
• W. Kaley Ave at S. Division Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Corrine Dr at East End Ave – (Crosswalk) 
• Laureate Blvd at Benavente Ave – (Bike Symbol) 
• Laureate Blvd at Kellog Ave – (Bike Symbol)