JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida residents will only see red white and blue lights on bridges across the state this summer after the Florida Department of Transportation secretary decided to change the colors in celebration of ‘freedom summer.'
The change was announced on May 8 on the social media platform X. It comes just weeks before the Acosta Bridge in Downtown Jacksonville was expected to be illuminated in orange for gun safety awareness and rainbow colors for Pride month.
For many, the lights on the Acosta Bridge are more than just a dazzling display.
“You know it's one of those things you don’t really think about, but when you see it it makes you think about some of the things they’re promoting and some of the things they’re representing," said Torraine Walker, who drives over the bridge every day.
The president of the local organization Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) said she was there in 2021 when the bridge temporarily took down its rainbow lights due to a reported compliance issue. Three years later, she's facing another summer without the rainbow colors.
“It’s very disheartening because they did this a couple years ago, and here we are again and it’s not just the group that we represent, this also affects people who celebrate Juneteenth, violence against women’s day, Gun Violence Prevention Day. It's affecting a bunch of groups with important causes," said PFLAG President Cindy Nobles.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation declared that lights on state bridges will be red, white and blue.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) operates the lighting system and changes the colors based on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) guidelines.
There are a number of annual observances scheduled each year. This year, however, the Acosta Bridge will not be rainbow for Pride month, orange for gun safety awareness or red, black and green for Juneteenth.
A social media post states that the FDOT secretary made the move in celebration of “freedom summer,” a July sales tax holiday signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In a statement, FDOT officials said:
"FDOT made the decision to light state-owned bridges, red, white, and blue from Memorial Day to Labor Day to celebrate America. FDOT supports the Governor’s vision to encourage Floridians to enjoy the activities and attractions that Florida has to offer while celebrating the liberties and freedoms that so many fought for us to have. In that spirit, we are happy to honor our country with this lighting display."
But for those who drive over the Acosta Bridge every day, they’re wondering about inclusivity.
“Put some variety in there that lets us know, yes it's red white and blue, but we’re also celebrating other things that are going on," said Edith Williams, a member of Sassy Seniors and Steppers.
JTA leaders say they are not aware of any exceptions and are planning for bridge lights to be red white and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day.