HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a statement Monday condemning the overnight removal of the rainbow crosswalk in Montrose, calling it a crackdown on “beloved community art” and questioning the decision-making process behind its removal.
“The state’s crackdown on beloved community art shows that they are willing to go further and further in limiting free speech and free expression,” Judge Hidalgo said.
She emphasized that the rainbow crosswalk was originally painted as a memorial and did not symbolize harm or discrimination toward any group. Hidalgo also criticized METRO’s swift compliance with the state directive, noting the agency was given 30 days to act and could have pursued other options.
“METRO could have requested an exemption from the state’s policy or taken legal action before removing art and a symbol that was so important to our community,” she said. “The community deserves to know who made the final decision to remove the crosswalk, why the decision was not put up for a board vote and what other options we could have pursued instead of instant removal.”
Judge Hidalgo concluded her statement by reaffirming Harris County’s commitment to supporting the LGBT+ community and all communities.
The removal of the rainbow crosswalk occurred overnight in the Montrose neighborhood and led to protests, during which several individuals were detained as construction crews began work.
