A rainbow crosswalk memorializing the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, was painted over by the Florida Department of Transportation on August 21. This action was taken under the direction of the Trump administration’s “SAFE ROADS Initiative,” which aimed to eliminate road distractions, according to a letter from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer criticized the move as a “cruel political act,” particularly since the crosswalk, installed in coordination with the state, adhered to safety standards and served as a memorial. Despite the erasure, community members quickly restored the rainbow colors with chalk, demonstrating their commitment to honoring the lives lost in the 2016 tragedy.
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Ron DeSantis paints over Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk in the dead of night. When someone chooses to perform an action in secret, under the cover of darkness, it often speaks volumes about their intentions. It suggests a lack of courage and a sense that the act itself is unpopular, something they wouldn’t dare do in the light of day. And that’s exactly what happened with the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk in Orlando. DeSantis himself made it clear this was intentional. It wasn’t a matter of misinterpretation. It was a deliberate act, and the reason given, that it was “political,” is, frankly, a flimsy justification for erasing a memorial to 49 people murdered in a hate crime.… Continue reading
Following the removal of a rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse Memorial site in Orlando, Florida, local residents have taken matters into their own hands. In a direct challenge to Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions, community members were captured on video repainting the crosswalk themselves. The original crosswalk, designed to honor the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, was removed overnight, prompting outrage. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed his devastation at the removal, calling it a “cruel political act.”
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The state of Florida painted over a rainbow crosswalk in Orlando that was part of the Pulse Memorial, sparking outrage and criticism. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer condemned the removal as a “cruel political act,” emphasizing the crosswalk’s safety benefits and its symbolic importance in honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 shooting. Surviving victim Brandon Wolf echoed this sentiment, calling the act a desecration of the victims’ memories. Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the state would not allow roadways to be used for political purposes, following a directive from the former transportation secretary that stressed roadway markings should be consistent and free from distractions.
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Alison Lawrence, 57, was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after she drowned her dog, Tywinn, in an Orlando International Airport bathroom. Unable to board her flight with Tywinn due to insufficient paperwork, Lawrence took the dog into a restroom where a witness later found a trash bag containing the dog’s body and belongings. An investigation determined Tywinn died from drowning, and Lawrence’s identity was confirmed through the dog’s tag. Lawrence was apprehended in Lake County.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood