JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Every color of the rainbow filled the Acosta Bridge Saturday night.
Members of Jacksonville’s Pride community protested Florida’s decision not to include Pride colors this summer.
The Freedom Summer mandate doesn't just apply to the Acosta, but all state-maintained bridges that have decorative lights, requiring they be lit up in red, white and blue every night of the summer.
READ MORE: Acosta Bridge won't be lit for Juneteenth, Pride month, other summer events after statewide change
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“It’s almost time to pass the torch, or the flag should I say," said Ed Tooker, who participated in the bridge march.
Tooker’s been carrying this same flag at Pride events since he came out 35 years ago.
While his days of peacefully protesting may be numbered, he still came out for another year to carry the flag in a peaceful protest of the lack of Pride colors lighting up the Acosta Bridge during Pride month.
“Even though the lights may be off from the gay colors or Juneteenth, etc., we still can light it up ourselves," said Tooker.
The Pride walk has become an annual tradition, with the protestors filling the crosswalk with rainbow colors as the bridge’s lights shine red, white and blue.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority controls the lights, changing them based on FDOT guidelines.
FDOT said in part in a statement “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.”
“That’s why they added these lights to the bridges so that could support different organizations," said James Eddey while crossing the bridge in the march. "Are we against the American flag, heck no, but we don’t need it all summer long.”
Tooker says being met halfway would go a long way, with just the occasional night of a rainbow Acosta during Pride month.
“We’re going to still do what we need to do to stand out, show we’re a part of a community and we’re a part of all communities," said Tooker.
JTA says the plan is to keep the lights red, white and blue from Memorial Day to Labor Day, barring other guidance from FDOT.
Several protestors pointed out that a silver lining for them is Mayor Donna Deegan's decision to proclaim June as Pride Month in Jacksonville.