A Texas man has been arrested after repainting Pride-themed crosswalks in Dallas that had recently been removed under a statewide directive. Mason Whiteside was detained on Tuesday after using chalk and spray paint to restore rainbow patterns to walkways that city crews had erased earlier this week. Officials say the removals were carried out to comply with an order from Greg Abbott, who directed the Texas Department of Transportation to eliminate what he called symbols of political ideology from public roadways.
The crackdown has included both LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and Black Lives Matter street art, drawing criticism in neighborhoods like Oak Lawn, a historic LGBTQ+ area in Dallas. Police reportedly took Whiteside into custody after spotting him painting, though he was jailed on an unrelated, years-old traffic violation. He was released on Wednesday morning after paying a fee.
Cities across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., and areas in Florida, have also removed similar public art following political pressure and funding threats. Whiteside, who is queer, said he has no regrets. “Every single time they try to take it away…I’m going to put it right back.”
