Community unites as Sarasota starts to take down artwork from streets and crosswalks.

On Wednesday, a sizable crowd gathered outside the Social Equity through Education Alliance (SEE Alliance) building to protest the decision to remove artwork from the sidewalks. Zander Moricz, the founder and executive director of SEE Alliance, revealed that they were notified just the night before about the impending removal of their artistic displays.

In response, the alliance made a call to action, which garnered an impressive 100 responses, according to Moricz. He expressed the significance of the event, stating, “What we saw here is a clear demonstration that the people of Sarasota, ages 9 to 92, want to see our art, our stories, our culture, and our tradition protected, and that’s what this is all about.”

Initially, signs indicating “sidewalk construction” were posted along Orange Avenue, signaling the impending removal of the artwork. However, as the rallying continued, these signs were eventually taken down.

Moricz emphasized the importance of their efforts beyond just the immediate situation, stating, “This isn’t about one day, this isn’t about one story, this is about the cultural fabric of Sarasota and how we tell that story together.” He also announced plans for a new campaign named “The Ground Up,” aimed at fortifying democracy by inviting more artists to the city to showcase their creativity.

“I want to be clear that when this sidewalk is destroyed, that’s the start of the fight, not the end of it,” Moricz told ABC7, signifying the continued efforts of the community.

The City of Sarasota faces a deadline of September 4 to remove the rainbow sidewalks, or risk losing vital state road funding.

Key Information

• Event: Rally against sidewalk artwork removal
• Date: Wednesday (exact date not specified)
• Organizer: Zander Moricz, Executive Director of SEE Alliance
• Community Response: 100 responses to call to action
• Campaign: “The Ground Up” for supporting local artists
• City Deadline: Removal of rainbow sidewalks by September 4 to avoid losing state funding