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FDOT paints over Delray Beach Pride mural, city officials say

Delray Beach has called a special meeting Tuesday evening to address the state's actions

WPTV

Delray Beach pride mural painted over in black Sept. 9, 2025.

By: Samantha Roesler

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) painted over Delray Beach's Pride mural early Tuesday morning, Delray Beach city officials told WPTV.

Delray Beach Vice Mayor told WPTV reporter Joel Lopez that FDOT was at the intersection of Northeast First Street and Northeast Second Avenue with Florida Highway Patrol troopers at about 2:30 a.m. to cover the Pride mural with black paint.

WATCH BELOW: FDOT paints over Delray Beach Pride mural, city says

Delray Beach Pride crosswalk painted over by FDOT, city says

For months, we've been monitoring the city pushing back against a directive from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove road murals and other street art from roads and crosswalks statewide.

The removal of this mural comes after the rainbow crosswalk at Orlando's Pulse Memorial was painted over in late August. Key West's mural was also removed overnight Sept. 9.

READ BELOW: The final order that FDOT sent to Delray Beach on Sept. 8 directing the city to remove the pavement markings

The order states FDOT was not required to hold a formal hearing about the issue based on a state statute that focuses on investigating noncompliance with federal and state standards.

In June, FDOT created a memorandum establishing that road surface markings associated with social, political or ideological images are prohibited.

"The city quoted (chartered municipalities shall have original jurisdiction over all streets and highways located within their boundaries, except state roads), but left out the most pertinent part," the order wrote. "Municipalities may place and maintain such traffic control devices which conform to the manual and specifications of the DOT upon all streets and highways under their original jurisdiction as they shall deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or to regulate, warn or guide traffic."

Delray Beach will be holding a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday to address the state's actions.

The city of Delray Beach released a statement Tuesday morning:

"Before dawn on September 9, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) unilaterally removed the Delray Beach Pride Intersection. Less than 12 hours before, the City of Delray Beach received an order directing the CITY to remove this symbol of inclusion. This immediate action by FDOT did not allow the city commission the opportunity to review the order as an elected government body and decide how to move forward. By acting outside of its process, FDOT disregarded the City’s good-faith efforts to follow established procedures. While FDOT’s action cannot be undone, Delray Beach remains steadfast in its commitment to unity, respect, and the fundamental human rights that belong to every member of our community."

WPTV has reached out to FDOT for a statement and is waiting for a response.

"Clearly Governor Ron DeSantis has no respect for the due process requirements of the Florida and U.S. Constitutions," Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, said in a statement. "He is making a mockery of the rule of law."

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