Governor Ron DeSantis Wins Praise From Conservatives After Florida Crews Remove Miami Beach Pride Crosswalk — “Public Roads Shouldn’t Be Political Billboards”
Governor Ron DeSantis has once again proven that he’s unafraid to challenge political symbolism in public spaces, as Florida’s Department of Transportation crews removed Miami Beach’s rainbow-colored Pride crosswalk over the weekend. The move, carried out between October 5 and 6, 2025, quickly ignited national debate — drawing anger from Democrats while earning widespread praise from conservative voters who say the governor is restoring neutrality and common sense to public infrastructure.
Videos shared across social media show workers in neon safety vests prying up the colored bricks one by one from the famous intersection of Ocean Drive and 12th Street — an area long known for its ties to LGBTQ tourism and events like Miami Beach Pride. The crosswalk, painted in rainbow colors and unveiled in 2021, had become a symbol of the city’s progressive image. But after a recent state directive ruled that “decorative crosswalks” violate standard roadway safety codes, Florida officials moved swiftly to replace them with uniform black pavement.
The decision stems from a broader statewide policy under DeSantis’ leadership that seeks to remove politically charged or ideological symbols from government-controlled spaces. Supporters of the move argue that public roads are for everyone — not political statements — and that enforcing consistent roadway design ensures safety and fairness for all residents.
“This isn’t about hate; it’s about standards,” said a construction worker on-site who spoke to a local reporter. “The governor wants the same rules across the state. That’s it.”
Conservative commentators online praised the governor for following through on his promises. “Ron DeSantis is one of the few leaders willing to stand against woke symbolism creeping into taxpayer-funded spaces,” one post on X read, amassing over 20,000 likes within hours. Another trending comment said simply, “Public roads are for traffic, not politics.”
The Florida Department of Transportation confirmed that the removal was part of a broader compliance initiative following a legal ruling that Miami Beach lost earlier this year. The court sided with the state, allowing officials to remove or repaint crosswalks deemed to violate roadway standards. Similar removals have already been recorded in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, showing that the state intends to apply the policy evenly, not selectively.
Predictably, the reaction from progressive circles was furious. Local activists accused DeSantis of targeting the LGBTQ community and “erasing visibility.” However, Republican lawmakers and DeSantis supporters pushed back hard, arguing that no group is being targeted — and that the only message being sent is that state property should remain neutral, functional, and free of partisan messaging.
“Governor DeSantis is doing what any strong leader should do,” said a Miami-area business owner supportive of the decision. “He’s bringing accountability to public property and stopping cities from turning every street corner into a culture war statement.”
State officials also noted that many of the rainbow crosswalks were made with nonstandard materials that deteriorate faster under Florida’s intense sun and heavy rainfall — making them costly to maintain and unsafe for pedestrians over time. Critics dismissed those claims as excuses, but DOT documentation shows that repair and repainting costs had climbed significantly since 2021.
Economically, the decision hasn’t dampened Miami Beach’s tourism figures. Despite online backlash, hotels and restaurants reported steady Pride-season bookings, suggesting that Florida’s broader appeal as a vacation hub remains strong. Conservative voices have argued that focusing on infrastructure, safety, and order — rather than political statements — is exactly what keeps Florida thriving.
Governor DeSantis has not publicly commented on the Miami Beach removal, but his office reaffirmed his commitment to “ensuring Florida’s public spaces reflect professionalism, safety, and equal use for all citizens — without political or ideological messaging.”
For supporters, it’s another example of the governor sticking to his principles despite criticism from the left and corporate media. “Florida is leading by example again,” said one user on Truth Social. “If you want a rainbow, buy paint — don’t use taxpayer roads as your canvas.”
As the dust settles on Ocean Drive, the once-colorful crosswalk now blends seamlessly into the road — uniform, practical, and free of politics. To some, it’s a loss of symbolism. To others, it’s a restoration of order. But one thing is certain: under Ron DeSantis, Florida continues to draw a hard line against the blending of activism and governance — and his supporters couldn’t be prouder.
