Dallas Removes Rainbow Pride Crosswalks

Dallas city crews have begun removing dozens of rainbow pride crosswalks in the city's Oak Lawn neighborhood, following a statewide directive from Governor Greg Abbott to eliminate decorative pavement markings deemed political messages and potential distractions to drivers. The effort, which started on Monday, March 23, 2026, targets about 30 such designs across northern Texas, including those honoring Black Lives Matter in South Dallas and other aesthetic features in Uptown. Less than 24 hours later, a 25-year-old local man was arrested for attempting to repaint one of the freshly cleared crosswalks.

The removals stem from an October 2025 order by Abbott, who instructed the Texas Department of Transportation to enforce compliance with the state's updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. That manual prohibits political or advocacy messages on road surfaces to promote traffic safety and uniformity. "To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas," Abbott stated at the time. Cities failing to comply risk losing state and federal road funding or facing suspension of agreements with the...