Sarasota should contest Florida’s prohibition on crosswalk art.

Key Information

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has enacted policies limiting local control over public space aesthetics, including sidewalks and crosswalks.
• His mandates prohibit local artistic expressions, impacting celebrations like Pride Month and holiday themes.
• Cities like Miami Beach and Key West are pushing back against these restrictions, seeking to protect their community identities.
• Sarasota residents are encouraged to advocate for local control by contacting city officials.
• The author argues that state actions undermine local creativity and economic advantages stemming from unique community features.

Local control has long been a cornerstone of American governance – the idea that communities closest to the people should have the greatest say in their daily lives.

In Sarasota, this principle was beautifully reflected in how the Ringling Causeway Bridge used to glow – turquoise most nights, then red and green or blue on holidays, rainbow for Pride, pink for breast cancer awareness, red, white and blue to celebrate our nation’s holidays.

That ended in 2025 when Gov. Ron DeSantis rewrote the rules: no colors for Valentine’s Day, no colors for Pride Month, no colors for St. Patrick’s Day – in general, no local-themed celebrations at all.

Now the state has moved from bridges and cultural institutions to crosswalks and sidewalks.

In July, DeSantis ordered communities to strip away artwork, including rainbows and culturally significant designs from public spaces.

If this is not accomplished, he has threatened to cut public funding for those communities. This threat substitutes the state’s perspective for the community’s voice, erasing local control and creativity.

It’s About Control

This crackdown isn’t about safety; it’s about control, extending well beyond bridges to local institutions and cultural heritage. For generations, Florida communities have celebrated their distinct identities through public art and traditions. This cultural diversity has always been our strength.

These features aren’t just artistic expressions; they drive local economies. Unique community character attracts tourism, supports small businesses, and helps maintain property values beneficial for all residents.

Of course, the governor is entitled to his views. But our city, our bridges, our walkways, our local institutions, and our public spaces should not be dictated by one-size-fits-all mandates. They belong to the citizens, students, and families who call this place home.

Stand Up, Speak Out

So here’s my appeal to the Sarasota City Commission and all residents: do not accept this as inevitable. Cities like Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale have chosen to uphold their colorful crossings while exploring their options.

In Key West, city leaders are prepared for a legal battle to retain their uniquely painted crosswalks, deemed cultural landmarks. Delray Beach has also resisted attempts to erase its distinct intersection, branding it an emblem of the city’s values.

These cities understand what’s at stake. It’s not just paint; it’s a community’s right to have its identity recognized and its values honored. Sarasota should align with these cities and demonstrate to our leaders that this is a critical issue.

Contact city commissioners at 941-263-6412 or email them at commissioners@SarasotaFL.gov. What we celebrate, express, and showcase in our own streets was once our prerogative, and it must be again.

We recently succeeded in advocating against a misguided proposal regarding the Ringling Museum. We can achieve the same for our public spaces.

If communities across Florida lose their unique attributes, we risk diminishing the entire state. The irony is that in striving for uniformity, we’re erasing the diversity that gives Florida its vibrancy and economic success. Local public areas should not serve as billboards for any governor; they belong to us.

Nancy Parrish is a native Floridian and long-time Sarasota resident. She is a philanthropist and community leader, having served as chair of the Ringling Museum of Art and currently leading Citizens to Protect the Ringling.