"According to the Houston Chronicle, four people were taken into custody for blocking the roadway at the junction of Westheimer Road and Taft. Charges were said to be pending on Monday afternoon. After the crosswalk was removed and covered on Sunday (19 October), protesters drew on the sidewalk in chalk. The removal came after Texas governor Greg Abbott directed the Department of Transportation to eliminate "decorative crosswalks, murals or markings conveying artwork or other messages" from roadways within 30 days or risk losing state funding."
"According to LGBTQ Nation, one of the protestors, Andy Escobar, said: "We know we have some of the worst air quality, we have people disappearing in the bayous, we have urgent matters that need to be attended to, and we are wasting time on a distraction and [the] vilification of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans people." Protesters said the crossing had been installed as a memorial to a victim of a hit-and-run incident at the intersection several years ago."
Four people were taken into custody in Houston for blocking the roadway at Westheimer Road and Taft while attempting to prevent removal of a rainbow Pride crosswalk. Crews began removing the crosswalk after delays and arrests. After the crosswalk was covered, protesters drew on the sidewalk in chalk and hung rainbow and Pride flags near the intersection. The removal followed a directive from Texas governor Greg Abbott ordering the Department of Transportation to eliminate "decorative crosswalks, murals or markings conveying artwork or other messages" from state roadways within 30 days or face funding loss. Protesters said the crossing served as a memorial to a hit-and-run victim; similar crosswalk removals occurred in Florida.
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