The rainbow sidewalks were set to be installed by the end of the week. Now those plans are on hold.
SAN ANTONIO — The City of San Antonio’s plans to install rainbow sidewalks along four blocks in the Pride Cultural Heritage District this week are on pause amid a pending lawsuit, City Manager Erik Walsh told council members and the mayor in a Thursday afternoon memo obtained by KENS 5.
The suit, Walsh wrote in the memo, was expected to be filed on behalf of Pride SA and the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum in an effort to prevent installation of the sidewalks and subsequent removal of the rainbow crosswalks that have been in the area since 2018. He also cited concerns from some council members about the sidewalks project.
“Consequently, I have put a pause on the painting of the sidewalks until we have the opportunity to brief the council in an executive session and to continue working with the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board and the community on implementation,” Walsh wrote.
He added that the city will continue with its plans to remove the crosswalks by the end of next week—potentially leaving the area entirely free of the rainbow symbolism that members of the LGBTQ community have worked to keep visible.
Crews with Public Works were seen cleaning and preparing the sidewalks earlier this week for the colorful designs; they were to encompass four blocks of North Main between Park Avenue and Laurel Street. The LGBTQ+ Advisory Board played a role in working with the city to come up with the sidewalks alternative.
Officials with Pride SA – which helped raise funds to install the original crosswalks in 2018 – told KENS 5 earlier this week that they believed the city could have done more to protect the rainbow crosswalk designs. Their impending removal stems from a directive Gov. Greg Abbott issued in October ordering Texas cities to remove political or ideological markings from roads, framing it as an effort to boost roadway safety.
The city filed for an exemption from the order in the fall, but the state rejected it.
“The city said (to Pride SA) that if they were to stand up, that they don’t know how far they would get in the court system, so it’s easier just to let it go,” said James Poindexter, secretary for Pride SA. “Facing this situation, we just want our city leaders to stand up for us.”
Walsh previously told council members this week that it would cost $170,000 for both crosswalk removal and sidewalk installation. Because the sidewalks project is being overseen by “contractors previously approved by the City Council,” Walsh explained in that Monday memo, no further action by council was needed on the matter.
Absent the opportunity to hash out the matter in a public meeting, council members have taken to social media. Misty Spears, the council representative for District 9, and Marc Whyte, council representative for District 10, said in a joint release posted to social media that they disapproved of the $170,00 allocation, saying the funds are “intended to address longstanding, critical infrastructure needs throughout the city.”
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, the council representative for District 2, issued a direct response of his own online, accusing his two council colleagues of choosing “to stand idly by while the state – time and time again – attack the LGBTQ+ community.”
KENS 5 has reached out the attorney representing Pride SA as well as Pride SA officials for a statement, but we have not yet heard back.
This is a developing story.