SARASOTA, Fla. (WSNN) — A rainbow-colored crosswalk in downtown Sarasota could be on the chopping block after a new statewide memo from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) raised concerns about artwork on public roadways.
Located at the intersection of Cocoanut Avenue and Pineapple Street, the artwork has long stood as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and community visibility. But in June, FDOT issued guidance directing cities and counties to remove street art that contains “social, political, or ideological messages” from state-maintained roads, calling it a potential distraction to drivers.
Although FDOT has not officially stated whether Sarasota’s rainbow crosswalk must be removed, LGBTQ+ advocates say the memo puts public art like this at risk.
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“Bullying cities and counties into removing street art is — obviously — political pandering,” said Joe Saunders with Equality Florida…