On June 30, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) mandated that all painted crosswalks across the state be removed before Sept. 4, under threat of losing federal and state transportation funding.
Although a memo released by the FDOT claimed that “non-standard surface markings” could potentially distract drivers and jeopardize pedestrian safety, the order was met with backlash from Florida officials who believed the motivations were more politically influenced, particularly since many of the targeted crosswalks depicted imagery related to the LGBTQ+ community and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee began removing its painted murals in August. However, on Florida State University’s campus, a few colorful murals appear to be untouched. On Chieftan Way, garnet, gold and turquoise designs are still visible on crosswalks leading to the Bobby E. Leach Recreation Center.
“FSU has not received any directives from FDOT regarding crosswalks on internal campus roads,” Senior Director of University Communications Amy Farnum-Patronis said to the FSView.
The FSView reached out to the FDOT for comment but did not receive a response.
‘Art adds character’: FSU students react to the removal of painted crosswalks in Tallahassee
The disappointment over the art removals extended past Tallahassee locals to college students in the area.
“The crosswalks on Chieftan Way and the murals around the city were some of the first things that stood out to me when I came to Tallahassee and it’s sad to think they’ll be gone,” Florida State University (FSU) student Ava Johnson said to the FSView. “Art adds character and creates a sense of community both on campus and throughout the city and losing it will take away the vibrance and uniqueness of the city.”
Some students say the crosswalks on campus and in Tallahassee create a sense of belonging, considering that the garnet, gold and turquoise crosswalk on Cheiftan Way symbolizes both FSU’s colors and the “Seminole Heritage” relationship that FSU has built with the Seminole Tribe of Florida over decades.
“I think the murals and public art around FSU really help build a strong sense of community,” FSU student Sam Fish said to the FSView. “They reflect the vibrant student life and culture here in a way that feels genuine and welcoming.”
While some municipalities in Florida complied quickly with FDOT’s directive, others faced legal appeals and resistance from the community. The removal of public art continues to spark reactions across the state and questions remain about community input in executive decisions.
“I think murals on campus do contribute to a sense of community and it makes individuals better able to express themselves,” said FSU student Adam Thesiger. “I think colorful crosswalks make visitors see the campus as more beautiful and lived in and less sterile overall.”
FDOT’s crosswalk removal mandate across Florida
Other Florida cities have seen more swift enforcement of FDOT’s mandate. In Miami, the FDOT completed the removal of a set of rainbow crosswalks at 12th Street and Ocean Drive on Oct. 6, paving over the once-colorful bricks with black asphalt.
Although efforts to eliminate crosswalks celebrating the Pride movement in South Florida began as early as Sept. 9, the city of Miami Beach’s appeal of the order delayed the removal of crosswalks by a month past the stated deadline.
Miami was not the only city where the FDOT faced complications in removing crosswalk murals. In late August, two local pastors in St. Petersburg were arrested and detained after refusing to move off of a “Black History Matters” mural.
The pastors claimed that their faith called upon them to kneel and pray for the mural’s preservation after hearing that the FDOT was targeting a crosswalk outside of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. The two were repeatedly asked by officers to move, but they refused, resulting in their arrest on the grounds that they were obstructing and hindering traffic.
“We were hauled away and arrested for the crime of praying on a mural that says, ‘Black History Matters,’” Reverend Ben Atherton-Zeman said regarding his arrest.
Although the charges were dropped, the pastors were initially looking at potentially up to a year in jail. Despite the removal of crosswalk art across the state of Florida, leaders are not giving up on finding other ways to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. In Palm Beach County, city commissioners gathered to discuss the possibility of things like renaming streets and painting murals on parking garages.
Aila Seaman is a Senior Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
