Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ignited a fresh wave of controversy by ordering the removal of road markings that display what he calls "social, political, or ideological messages"—a move that has drawn both sharp criticism from advocates and concern from local officials across the state. The directive, announced Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and reiterated in a Fox News interview on Friday, targets colorful crosswalks and street art that honor LGBTQ pride and the Black Lives Matter movement, such as those found at the heart of El Paso’s Pride Square.
Abbott’s stance, made public through a news release and subsequent media appearances, is clear: cities and counties in Texas must eliminate any road markings that could be interpreted as political statements or risk losing state and federal transportation funding. "Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas," Abbott stated in his news release, as reported by the El Paso Times.
The governor doubled down on this position during a Fox News interview on Friday, October 10, 2025, saying, "Listen, this was a mandate that came down from the United States secretary of Transportation, threatening funds to any state that doesn't enforce this. And so, of course, we're going to enforce it." Abbott further claimed that the removal of Pride flags and similar markings from crosswalks is a safety measure, explaining, "We need people to see what the traffic signs are, know what to do at a crosswalk, as opposed to diverting their eyes to something else. But it's more than that. Again, this is something that the federal secretary of Transportation is saying, 'These are the requirements. If you're going to be receiving federal funds, you have to do this.'"
Abbott’s directive does not single out specific cities or installations, but the implications are widely understood. In recent years, municipalities such as El Paso have painted sidewalks and crosswalks in rainbow colors to honor LGBTQ pride and installed murals supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. At the intersection of Stanton and Franklin streets in Downtown El Paso—an area affectionately known as Pride Square—the vibrant street art has become a symbol of community pride and inclusivity, especially among the city’s LGBTQ residents.
Local officials in El Paso responded swiftly to the governor’s order. City spokesperson Laura Cruz-Acosta issued a statement on October 9, 2025, acknowledging the directive and outlining the city’s next steps: "We are currently evaluating the directive and will reach out to TxDOT for further guidance and clarification to determine if any of the city’s existing roadway installations conflict with their most recent guidance. The safety of all roadway users – including motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists – remains our highest priority."
While Abbott frames the crackdown on street art as a matter of public safety and federal compliance, critics argue that the policy is less about traffic control and more about suppressing expressions of inclusion and diversity. Amber Pérez, executive director of El Paso’s Borderland Rainbow Center, was blunt in her assessment. "It’s disappointing to see another action from the governor’s office that appears to target expressions of inclusion and visibility under the guise of 'safety.' Pride crosswalks, murals and other affirming public symbols are not political statements, they are reflections of community pride and belonging," Pérez told the El Paso Times. "In El Paso, our Pride Square display represents love, safety and connection for LGBTQIA+ people who often feel unseen in public life. Removing these affirming symbols would not make our roads safer, it would make our communities less welcoming and more divided."
Abbott’s directive is rooted, he claims, in the requirements set by the United States Secretary of Transportation. He warned that any city refusing to comply with the federal road standards would face "consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT." However, the specifics of these standards remain somewhat murky. The national guidelines governing road signage and markings are set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a document that outlines how roads should be marked for safety and consistency across the United States.
According to the National Highway Administration, as cited by the El Paso Times, "Aesthetic surface treatments and intersection murals are not considered traffic control devices and, therefore, are not governed by the MUTCD, except where those treatments interact with and adversely impact official traffic control devices." In other words, street art is generally permitted as long as it does not interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of traffic signs and signals. This distinction has added fuel to the debate, with advocates and some legal experts questioning whether Abbott’s directive is truly mandated by federal law or represents a broader effort to stifle public displays of support for marginalized communities.
For many residents and activists, the issue is deeply personal. The rainbow crosswalks and murals in places like Pride Square are more than just paint on pavement—they are daily reminders of visibility, acceptance, and the ongoing struggle for equality. As Amber Pérez put it, "Removing these affirming symbols would not make our roads safer, it would make our communities less welcoming and more divided."
Abbott’s critics also point to a pattern in his administration’s approach to civil rights and social issues. They argue that the governor has consistently prioritized political messaging over substantive solutions to infrastructure challenges, choosing to focus on banning symbolic displays rather than addressing Texas’s real transportation needs. Still, Abbott and his supporters insist that uniformity and safety on Texas roads are paramount, and that the state must comply with federal requirements to avoid jeopardizing crucial transportation funding.
The debate has left cities like El Paso in a difficult position, caught between state directives and the desires of local communities to express their identity and values. As city officials continue to review the guidance and seek clarification from TxDOT, the future of Pride Square’s iconic crosswalks—and similar installations across Texas—remains uncertain.
For now, the state’s directive stands, and the conversation about what belongs on Texas streets is far from over. The outcome will not only shape the appearance of public spaces but also signal, to many, where Texas stands on the broader issues of inclusion, diversity, and the role of public expression in civic life.
As the debate unfolds, the colorful crosswalks of Pride Square have become more than a traffic issue—they are a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle over visibility, belonging, and the meaning of safety in public spaces in Texas.