Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the removal of rainbow-colored crosswalks across multiple cities in the state, including Orlando, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, St. Petersburg, and Daytona Beach. The most notable removal was the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a memorial honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 mass shooting. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) executed the removal under state directives, citing safety concerns, despite previous arguments that colorful crosswalks improve safety. The crosswalk at Pulse was repeatedly repainted by activists and residents using multicolored chalk and paint, but state crews have continued to paint over the rainbow colors. Orlando officials and local leaders have denounced the removal as an attack on the LGBTQ community and are considering legal action. Miami Beach commissioners and other city officials have vowed to fight the mandate. The state has set deadlines for cities to comply with the removal orders, with some cities already beginning to erase rainbow street art. Protests have occurred in Broward County and other areas in response to the state's directive. Governor DeSantis defended the policy, accusing resisting cities of "virtue signaling" and insisting they must comply. The controversy has sparked ongoing debates about LGBTQ rights, public memorials, and state authority. Additionally, Florida's new Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, described as "anti-woke," has been scrutinized for his association with organizations that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, raising questions about his stance amid the crosswalk removals. The removal of these rainbow crosswalks has drawn national attention and criticism from civil rights groups, including the ACLU, which condemned the use of taxpayer dollars to erase a memorial honoring the Pulse victims.