Houston’s CBS affiliate reports:

Major changes are underway in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, where crews began removing the city’s rainbow crosswalks early Monday morning. The colorful crossings, long considered a symbol of Pride and unity, are being stripped away following a directive from Governor Greg Abbott. By sunrise, two of the four rainbow crosswalks at Westheimer and Taft had already been removed. The removal comes after days of tension, protests, and frustration within the community.

The decision follows Abbott’s call to remove what he described as “political ideologies” from roadways — guidance that traces back to a federal directive from the Trump administration earlier this year. Several protesters were arrested early Monday after standing in the roadway to block crews from removing the paint. Many residents and advocates also spent the night chalking nearby sidewalks and leaving Pride flags and flowers — a show of defiance and love they say will continue even after the paint is gone.

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