The removal of Sydney's Mardi Gras rainbow street crossing by the NSW State government angered many who believed the removal was aggressive and unwarranted, but a wave of “DIY Rainbow Crossings” is ensuring it's not forgotten.
The coloured walkway was only ever meant to be a temporary installation to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but proved so popular that a campaign was launched to make it permanent.
(Twitter @TiffSocialDiary)
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Unfortunately for those who wished to see it kept, on Wednesday night its bright colours were covered with asphalt on the orders of NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay, who cited a safety risk because some pedestrians lay down on the crossing to take a photo.
Now rainbow crossings coloured in with chalk are popping up all over Sydney in protest.
The movement, with the slogan “Don't get angry, get chalking!”, was started by self-proclaimed “z list celebrity” James Brechney, who chalked up a crossing in Surry Hills, and posted the results on social media.
(Twitter @TiffSocialDiary)
They then popped up outside Newtown Hotel, Community radio station FBi, and numerous streets around Sydney, and there is talk of plans for a St Kilda edition in Melbourne.
Mr Brechney said he had also been told of DIY Chalk Crossing occuring in Hawaii.
Mr Brechney told ABC Radio this afternoon "it's activism with a bit of panache."
(Twitter @Breko)
