State Rep. Fabian Basabe interrupts Miami Seashore rally, calls rainbow crosswalk battle ‘pretend outrage’ – NBC 6 South Florida

Miami Beach leaders are weighing a big decision whether to defy the state’s order to remove a colorful crosswalk or to comply to avoid losing millions in funding.

“This was never about public safety, the LGBTQ community was enjoying life, and then all of the sudden the state comes in and says you’ve gotta remove by Sept. 4 this symbol of inclusion and safety,” Commissioner Alex Fernandez said.

State and local leaders joined activists in Miami Beach on Thursday to show support for keeping rainbow crosswalks in place — but not everyone agrees.

As Sen. Shervin Jones voiced support for those who don’t want color crosswalks removed, state Rep. Fabian Basabe interrupted the news conference with his own microphone, saying there’s “fake outrage” because the LGBTQ+ community is protected.

“It shows the disconnect between the representative and the community,” Fernandez said in response. “This means so much to people who, for years, fought for housing equality, human rights.”

The Department of Transportation under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered communities to remove the crosswalks and other street art by early next month and threatened to withhold state transportation funding for noncompliance. Many of the painted crosswalks celebrate historically marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.

Critics say it’s the latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community by the DeSantis administration and Republican-controlled Legislature, including restrictions on gender-affirming care and Florida’s measure commonly referred to as Don’t Say Gay, which banned classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in certain grades.

On Wednesday, the city of Fort Lauderdale decided to fight it and voted unanimously to file an administrative appeal against an order to cover four street art installations in the city, including a large rainbow-colored LGBTQ+ pride flag.

“Tonight, we must stand our ground,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said. “We cannot allow ourselves to be bullied into submission and to allow others to dictate what we should do in our own communities.”

Fernandez said he will bring a resolution to Miami Beach’s commission meeting on Wednesday to fight the order.

“And, if necessary, to further appeal that order because we need to fight for our safety,” Fernandez said.

He said he is confident his colleagues will agree with him and challenge the order, saying the city has a long history of being champions for LGBTQ+ rights.

Meanwhile, Basabe has proposed to repaint pride stripes at the new Pride Park near the Miami Beach Convention Center.