JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville group chose to celebrate its freedom at a rally on the Main Street Bridge despite a Florida initiative to light bridges in patriotic colors until Labor Day.
The “Pride in Our Freedom” organization dressed in rainbow colors and had bright flashlights as they walked across the bridge on Friday evening.
The Summer of Freedom initiative allowed people to visit state parks for free during Memorial Day weekend. It also lifts sales tax throughout July on things like kayaks, sunscreen, and even admissions to live events.
About a week later, the Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue announced that Florida bridges would join the initiative by lighting up red, white, and blue from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Matthew McCallister, organizer for Pride in our Freedoms, said the Summer of Freedom upset some people but he says they’re not letting it stop them from finding a way to celebrate in their own way.
“Freedom is unnecessary if there is no diversity, and diversity is impossible without freedom. So tonight, what you’ll see in symbolic light is the red, white and blue that symbolizes our freedom. And, of course, the rainbow, which symbolizes our diversity, that these aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, they can only exist in and of one another. And I think that’s a beautiful message,” McCallister said.
According to a document on Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s website, there are 13 approved Acosta Bridge color schemes from June to August, including rainbow colors for Pride Month; red, black and green for Juneteenth; and orange for Gun Safety Awareness.
However, FDOT’s announcement of honoring the red, white and blue theme through September looks like the other color schemes won’t happen.
“The JTA joins FDOT Secretary Perdue in recognizing Memorial Day to Labor Day as Florida’s Freedom Summer. During this period, the Acosta State Bridge will be lit Red, White, and Blue,” Anthony Junco with JTA said.
McCallister felt like there were more pressing issues the state could focus on.
"Insurance prices have quadrupled in 22 months. I don’t think municipal infrastructure lighting should be at the top of our state agenda,” McCallister said. “Calling it freedom, limiting it to zero choices. Something just doesn’t smell right about that. But you know what, out of that lemon came really sweet lemonade.”