A federal judge ordered a temporary halt to further expansion of the South Florida Detention Facility nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," which houses roughly 700 detainees, citing violations of environmental law and "irreparable damage" to the Everglades. The halt was framed as a narrow legal victory despite broader ethical objections to the facility. Separately, state crews painted over the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk that honors 49 people killed in the 2016 nightclub massacre after the Florida Department of Transportation issued guidelines restricting nonuniform pavement markings. FDOT warned that it could withhold funds from local governments that do not comply, and community members responded by chalking the crosswalk back.
On Thursday, a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to any further expansion of "Alligator Alcatraz," the South Florida Detention Facility (read: concentration camp) that currently houses some 700 detainees. Not because it's unethical, unfit for all living creatures, and unnecessarily cruel, but because it violated environmental laws due to the "irreparable damage" done to the state's fragile Everglades. It's an infuriating ruling, but a small win nonetheless. However, it was soon followed by a major loss.
Last night, the DeSantis administration snuck in and tried to quietly erase the state-approved crosswalk to honor the 49 people murdered at Pulse Nightclub. So this afternoon, the community showed up to do a little chalking. I love you, Orlando. 🌈 pic.twitter.com/gDDCaFY7oC - Brandon Wolf (@bjoewolf) August 22, 2025 The removal follows the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) updated guidelines, which they published in July, and stated were meant to prohibit what they deem to be nonuniform "traffic control devices "-like pavement markings. If local governments refuse to comply, the department has threatened to withhold funds.
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