The City of San Antonio is set to remove the rainbow crosswalk located at the intersection of Main Avenue and Evergreen Street. This decision follows directives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which ordered the elimination of roadway markings tied to political or identity-based messages.
Details of the Removal Process
On January 12, 2025, city workers began the removal by using a pavement core drilling machine. They extracted concrete and asphalt cylinders from the crosswalk for preservation. These cylinders will serve as the only tangible remnants of a crosswalk that became a prominent symbol in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District since its installation in 2018.
The removal process involved refilling the area with asphalt once the cylinders were extracted.
Community Reaction
Activists Matilda Miller and Anna Lavallee documented the removal and expressed their discontent with this action. Miller, co-founder of the 6W Project, commented on the implications of the removal. She conveyed that it undermines the power of the city’s elected officials, also criticizing the lack of resistance from the city council.
- Date of Removal: January 12, 2025
- Location: Main Avenue and Evergreen Street, San Antonio
- Notable Activists: Matilda Miller, Anna Lavallee
Legal Context
Under Texas law, municipalities derive their authority from the state, limiting their ability to challenge state mandates. The directive to remove the crosswalk has raised discussions regarding local governance and community rights. A recent ruling by Judge Christine Hortick affirmed that San Antonio did not require city council approval for funding related to the removal.
Upcoming Protest
A rally is scheduled for January 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street. This event aims to protest the decision to remove the rainbow crosswalk and is expected to attract community members concerned about local governance.
The debate surrounding the rainbow crosswalk highlights broader issues of power dynamics between state and local authorities, and how such decisions impact community representation and activism.
