AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is complying with Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to remove street markings while considering other ways to exhibit pride and diversity in the city.
Watson’s decision comes a week after the governor threatened to pull funding from cities that don’t obey his orders to remove “political ideologies” from streets. The move angered communities supportive of Austin’s LGBTQ+ pride rainbow crosswalk and “Black Artists Matter” street mural.
In a statement to city council members, Watson said the city would “comply with state law.” Failing to remove the paint could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars and additional grant opportunities for the city, the mayor said, and there are about 16 locations with markings that could be in violation of the order…