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A cyclist crosses a rainbow-painted intersection Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale city leaders will host an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss how to respond to the state's order to remove rainbow-colored crosswalks and other street art throughout Florida, with deadlines to comply looming.

The Department of Transportation under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered communities to remove the crosswalks and other street art by early next month or risk millions of dollars in state funding. Many of the painted crossings celebrate gay rights and LGBTQ+ pride, while others are tributes to Black people and the police.

DeSantis' critics said

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