Four people were taken into custody over the weekend after Florida removed contentious street art, specifically a rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, according to reports.
On Sunday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers detained three people—Zane Aparicio, Donavon Short, and Maryjane East—for allegedly defacing the newly painted pavement.
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Per My News 13:
The three were arrested Sunday for damage to property, criminal mischief, and interfering with a traffic control device valued at more than a thousand dollars.
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There has been seemingly a non-stop presence in the Pulse area since the crosswalk was originally painted over 11 days. Many of the people who’ve been coming to the crosswalk to color it with chalk say they’re committed to doing this as a way to make sure victims of the 2016 Pulse shooting aren’t forgotten.
Sebastian Suarez was arrested on Friday for damage at the crosswalk.
The state Department of Transportation reportedly decided to paint over the rainbow crosswalk outside the nightclub, where 49 people were murdered in 2016. The decision followed Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republicans’ proposal to maintain roadways distraction-free.
In July, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy requested that states join in a traffic safety campaign that involves keeping junctions and crosswalks distraction-free.
“We are getting back to the basics — using data to guide decision-making and prioritize investments that reduce distraction while improving mobility and safety for all road users,” Duffy’s letter reads.
“Within 60 days, I request that your State DOT, in coordination with your metropolitan planning organizations, use available safety data, analysis, and assessments to develop a list of arterial segments, including intersections, with the highest safety, operational, or compliance concerns that will be addressed by the end of Fiscal Year 2026,” it continued.
However, leftists melted down and refused to obey. Florida State Senator Carlos G. Smith, for example, claimed that the state Department of Transportation committed vandalism. However, the governor responded sharply.
“We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes,” DeSantis said following backlash.
