Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the removal of rainbow-colored crosswalks across the state, including those near the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a site commemorating the 2016 mass shooting victims. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has enforced this directive by painting over or demolishing these crosswalks in multiple cities such as Orlando, Gainesville, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona. The state argues that the colorful crosswalks pose safety risks to drivers, although records indicate that FDOT previously supported colorful crosswalks for safety improvements until the governor's directive. Local governments and activists have resisted the order, with some cities like Fort Lauderdale planning to appeal and potentially risk losing millions of dollars in state funding. Demonstrators have repeatedly repainted the crosswalks with chalk, only to have FDOT erase them again. The controversy has sparked protests and emergency city meetings, highlighting tensions between state authorities and municipalities over LGBTQ+ symbols and public art. Florida's new Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, described as "anti-woke," has faced scrutiny due to his association with organizations that have Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, complicating the political narrative. The removal of these crosswalks has drawn criticism from civil rights groups, including the ACLU, which condemned the erasure of a memorial honoring the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. The ongoing dispute reflects broader cultural and political conflicts within Florida regarding LGBTQ+ visibility and state governance.