The rainbow crosswalk outside Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub was more than paint–it was a memorial to the 49 people killed there in a mass shooting in 2016. On Aug. 20, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) removed this symbol of remembrance, concealing it with a standard crosswalk.

The FDOT mandated the removal on the grounds that street art causes distractions and poses a potential risk to roadway safety. This reasoning mirrors their justification for ordering the removal of a mural at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

This action left many in the community confused and angered, questioning why this particular memorial was targeted over other street art in Florida. Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the shooting, accused the state of attempting to erase a vital gesture of solidarity.

In response to the community’s outcries, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took to social media.

“Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks,” Duffy said.

As of Aug. 29, there is currently no timeline for restoring the memorial. Despite this, the community continues to protest, fighting not only for the right to street art but for the message it conveys. They have been joined by the families of the victims memorialized by the crosswalk, who are demanding that their stories be heard.

“While the crosswalk has been removed, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49 can never be erased,” Orland Mayor Buddy Dyers said.

Undeterred, volunteers brought chalk to the site that same week to temporarily restore the design where it once lay. Despite their efforts, car tires and weather quickly wore away their endeavors. Florida Highway Patrol officers now stand guard, redirecting anyone attempting to draw on the road back to the sidewalk.

Refusing to be silenced, the community now leaves heartfelt messages on the neighboring sidewalk. Messages such as “Always Remember” and colorful heart-shaped doodles ensure that the memory of the 49 endures.