HOUSTON – Four protesters were arrested Monday morning as crews removed the rainbow crosswalk in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, following a federal mandate that labels such street art as roadway distractions.

The removal comes after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a nationwide “Safe Roads Initiative” earlier this year, directing governors to eliminate what federal officials consider distracting road features.

RELATED: 4 arrested while attempting to stop removal of rainbow crosswalk in Montrose

Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorsed the directive, specifically ordering the Montrose crosswalk’s removal.

The federal order now threatens similar installations across the Houston area, including meaningful street art in historically significant neighborhoods.

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