Broward County

Fort Lauderdale to fight state order to remove rainbow street art

Kevin O’Connell of Lauderhill joins a protest at the Rainbow Crosswalk along Sebastian Street and A1A in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Kevin O’Connell of Lauderhill joins a protest at the Rainbow Crosswalk along Sebastian Street and A1A in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) South Florida Sun Sentinel

Fort Lauderdale will not bow down to the state’s demand that it remove four street art designs — including a rainbow-colored pride flag painted on a street near the beach.

Before a packed house, commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday night to appeal the state’s order to remove the pavement art by Sept. 4 or risk the state removing it.

Mayor Dean Trantalis warned of what might happen if the city were to back down to the state on what he called a draconian order.

“You have to ask, where does it end?” he said. “Tonight we must stand our ground. We cannot be bullied into submission and to allow others to dictate what happens in our community.”

To read the full article, visit the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

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