The rainbow crosswalk mural in Delray Beach, Florida (dedicated to LGBTQ victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting) was destroyed for the third time on June 17th.
Surveillance footage released by Delray Beach Police shows drivers waiting for another vehicle to pass by before rotating the wheels to speed up, leaving black burns on murals and surrounding rainbow crossings.
videoThe release by Delray Beach Police also shows that the same truck returns to the intersection and later returns to another burnout, continuing throughout the entire length of the intersection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mm_ndwr9fq
The driver has not been identified as footage does not capture a clear view of the truck license plate. South Florida Sun Sentinel.
According to Fort Pierce-based CW affiliate, the driver looks like a man wearing glasses wtvx. Anyone with information will be asked to call 1-888-441-8477.
Announced in 2021, the intersection was dedicated to victims of a pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, killing 49 people and 53 injured. Previous drivers have been destroyed at least twice by intentionally burning out at murals and surrounding crossings.
Just a day after it was announced in June 2021, the mural was tainted by 19-year-old Alexander Jerrich. Other participants filmed the vandalism and cheered as Jerich damaged the mural.
Jerich was initially charged with three felony counts, but later pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and reckless driving. In June 2022, he was sentenced to mandatory mental health screening as part of a plea deal that allows him to avoid 100 hours of community service, two years of probation, and prison time.
Palm Beach Judge cancel His probation in December 2023.
February 2024, Dylan Brewer19, Clearwater, Florida, performed burnout three times at the intersection. All of this was filmed on video by onlookers. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor crime as part of a plea bargain.
Brewer was sentenced to one year probation, his license was suspended, paid nearly $6,000 in compensation, provided 75 hours of community service and was ordered to participate in an angry management class.
Rand Hoch, chairman of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, noted that the murals and crosswalks were repainted just before the Pride celebration and just before the latest vandalism.
“These are very hateful people who want to make a statement that they don’t agree to being around LGBTQ+ people,” Hoch told WTVX about the repeated incidents. “They have nothing to do with the people who may be at that intersection. They just want to make hateful statements over and over again.”
The latest incident happened a few weeks before U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy called on all governors to remove anything that featured specifically the pride theme.
“Taxpayers hope that the dollar will fund a safe street, not a rainbow crossing,” Duffy posted on social media. “Political flags have no place on public roads.”
Despite Duffy’s claims, Del Rey’s murals and crosswalks were not funded by taxpayers. They donated $16,000 to install the artwork, paid by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Charitable Foundation and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
In response to Duffy’s orders, several South Florida cities have begun to remove rainbow crossings. A mural featuring Progress Pride Flag has been removed in Boynton Beach. This is the same mural that was destroyed in 2023 when a motorcyclist left it across the tire mark.
Another Pride mural in Fort Lauderdale was also targeted in 2023. This resulted in the truck driver performing burnout and passengers recording an ACT. Police have not identified the driver. It remains unclear whether the Fort Lauderdale murals, or other rainbow themed street art across Florida, or whether local officials oppose Duffy’s orders.
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Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
