Rainbow Road Was More Than a Mural

Located at Northeast First Street and Second Avenue, in the heart of Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove Arts District, Rainbow Road once served as a local beacon of acceptance. Painted in vibrant rainbow stripes, it was meant to stand as a public commitment to LGBTQ+ residents and visitors alike.

But it didn’t take long for it to become a target.

Drivers repeatedly defaced it with tire burnouts, spinning across its colors in what many, including our team at Zappitell Law Firm, recognize as hateful acts disguised as reckless stunts. Those actions sent a clear message. This community was unwelcome in a space created to honor them.

The City of Delray Beach Decided to Remove It

On July 23, 2025, the City of Delray Beach confirmed that it would permanently remove the ‘Pride Intersection’ mural display from Pineapple Grove. The decision followed a unanimous vote from the City Commission, backed by City Manager Terrence Moore, who cited increasing concerns over costs, liability, and political pressure from Tallahassee.

Only a month prior, the city had spent thousands repainting the intersection for Pride Month. But after the burnouts and after being warned of possible legal and financial consequences from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the city reversed course.

Delray Beach was told that any further decorative crosswalks painted without express FDOT approval could violate state rules and potentially jeopardize access to transportation funding. It was part of a broader pattern. Multiple Florida cities, including St. Petersburg and Lake Worth Beach, had already removed or declined to repaint similar LGBTQ+ murals under pressure.

“Let’s be honest about why this happened,” says Zappitell. “The state made it clear that cities with LGBTQ murals, like in our community, could face consequences. So, instead of fighting for it, the city gave in.”

The State Threatened Financial Repercussions

In early 2025, FDOT began sending warnings to cities statewide. Painted murals in crosswalks were labeled “non-compliant” and could risk millions in transportation aid. Some cities were told they would have to remove the murals or stop receiving funds for critical infrastructure projects. Others were warned that liability for accidents on those intersections could fall entirely on local governments, not the state.

These legal and financial pressures had their intended effect. Local governments, already stretched for resources, began removing crosswalk murals rather than challenging Tallahassee. Delray Beach followed suit despite community pushback.

The mural had never caused a reported accident. The real issue wasn’t traffic safety. It was politics.

Reckless Driving Was the Excuse, but the Decision Still Hurt

Indeed, the intersection was repeatedly vandalized by reckless drivers. In one case, a man was criminally charged for intentionally burning rubber across the mural. He was sentenced earlier this year to probation and restitution after investigators confirmed his actions were deliberate.

Under Florida law, reckless driving carries serious penalties:

• A first offense may lead to up to 90 days in jail and fines from $25 to $500
• If property damage occurs, it can be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, with up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine
• Offenders can be ordered to pay restitution and complete community service
• If motivated by hate or bias, the charge could include hate crime enhancements

These legal consequences, however, were not the reason the mural came down. It was political and financial pressure, not safety, that ultimately led to its removal.

And for many in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, that decision felt like surrender.