Fort Lauderdale isn’t going to dull its roadways quietly.

City Commissioners have voted unanimously to appeal a Florida directive demanding the removal of four street art designs, most notably a rainbow-colored pride flag painted on a beach-adjacent thoroughfare.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), ordered Fort Lauderdale to remove the road decorations by Sept. 4 or face removal by the state itself.

Commissioners also approved retaining outside legal counsel to explore all potential recourse if the appeal fails.

That vote went 4-1 on Wednesday, with Vice Mayor John Herbst voting “no.”

Mayor Dean Trantalis said Fort Lauderdale should “stand our ground” now or risk further preemption from the state.

“Where does it end?” he said. “

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