Governor DeSantis issued an ultimatum to communities statewide: erase street art or lose funding. Citing traffic fatalities, he argues that eliminating street murals and crosswalk painting will protect Floridians.
Of course, this order is about more than road safety. It’s about eliminating freedom of expression from groups he doesn’t want to see.
Safety as a cover
This logic was also used in the letter from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in which he urged governors nationwide to eliminate street art. The letter promised the government was “using data to guide decision-making and prioritize investments that reduce distraction while improving mobility and safety for all road users.”
In this same letter, Duffy admits “estimates of traffic fatalities for 2024 continue a downward trend, by decreasing 3.8 percent from 2023.”
From this statistic alone, it is clear that rainbow crosswalks are not posing the threat that politicians are attempting to make them seem. In fact, studies suggest that by improving crosswalk visibility, street art reduces accidents by an average of 17%.
Rainbow crosswalks are not causing accidents
Even with downward trends in accidents, it’s understandable that the Department of Transportation would want to prevent more accidents. But if their approach is truly data driven, officials would see that removing crosswalks shouldn’t be their number one priority.
Research by BMC Public Health suggests that changing infrastructure isn’t as effective as creating laws that target behavior. If he wanted to improve public safety, DeSantis could implement a ban of cell phone use while driving or improve drunk driving enforcement.
If DeSantis is truly concerned about his constituents, he certainly shouldn’t be withholding funds from the very people charged with keeping roads safe.
Erasing communities and stopping solidarity
DeSantis did not mention how this order fit into his broader agenda of erasing minorities from public consciousness. On X, the governor posted “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.”
That calls into question what street art DeSantis considers “political.” Is it political for the street to convey “Black Lives Matter?” Is it political for the LGBTQ+ community to assert their right to exist with colorful art?
One of the first pieces of street art DeSantis targeted was the rainbow crosswalk in front of the Pulse nightclub — the sight of one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.
The mural was intended to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and reject the hatred that motivated the shooting. By removing that mural, the state of Florida is revoking that solidarity and aligning itself with the hatred of the shooter.
Art as a form of resistance
Some residents are choosing to resist this campaign of intimidation, but this resistance is being met with harsh retaliation from the state. Hundreds participated in protests and recolored the barren sidewalks, but were interrupted by police arguing that coloring amounted to a felony. Four people who recolored the Pulse memorial in chalk were arrested on charges of defacing public property. In St Petersburg, two pastors kneeled in prayer on top of a BLM mural and were arrested for “impeding” officers.
The deadline to remove the art was Sept. 4, but the people of Florida aren’t letting go of this art without a fight. Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Key West and Miami Beach are all appealing the ruling, determined to protect their vulnerable communities. Protests have also emerged throughout the state in support of the art.
It might not feel like street art is the most pressing issue at the moment when there are so many other stories dominating headlines. But, these crosswalks and murals are more than just decorations. They are visible reminders that everyone in our community has a right to be here and that they shouldn’t be afraid to express their identity.
Art has long been a form of resistance and an important avenue of free speech. If we let our art be erased, it won’t be long until entire parts of our communities are erased with it.