Local

Acosta Bridge marked in rainbow colors during pride march

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds marched across the Acosta Bridge in a stand for equality after the bridge became the center for controversy earlier in the week.

Action News Jax told you Tuesday when the rainbow color scheme was switched back to the traditional blue.

FDOT said it received several complaints about the rainbow colors and that JTA was out of compliance with its permit.

After community backlash, the governor’s office reported the rainbow lights would again light up the bridge Wednesday night through the end of the week like originally planned.

Saturday’s march was not a celebration of the reversal, however. Many demonstrators said there’s a long path to full equality.

“We’ve made a lot of progress — we’ve come a long way as a community on our journey to equality. But there’s more work to be done,” Phillip Perry, the communications director for the LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, said.

Perry added it was a relief to see the rainbow colors back and overall Jacksonville is an accepting community. The lights will continue to shine the rainbow colors through the end of the week. Next Friday, it will turn red for sickle cell awareness.

The march over the Acosta also marked the 5-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub massacre. Action News Jax’s Bridgette Matter is in Orlando for a special memorial service to mark the anniversary.

Watch coverage of the 5-year anniversary and Acosta march on Action News Jax at 6 on CBS 47.

Samantha Mathers

Samantha Mathers, Action News Jax

Samantha Mathers is a digital reporter and content creator for Action News Jax.