A proposal to paint four crosswalks at one intersection in Hamilton, Mont., in rainbow colors during Pride month was voted down last week by the city council, but high school students who supported the effort decorated the windows at Chapter One Bookstore "with rainbows and messages of inclusiveness and diversity," Ravalli Republic reported.
Chapter One co-owner Mara Luther told the paper, "When I heard there was such a kerfuffle about this crosswalk, that there's so many negative comments and that it started veering into adding something to city policy, it seemed like Chapter One Bookstore--being right on Main Street and on the corner--was a great spot for these young activists to have a place give voice to their actions and the spirit behind them."
The proposal, entitled "Allyship Pride Crosswalk Project," would have painted the four crosswalks at the intersection of Third and State streets 11 colors that represent people of color, the trans community and LGBTQ.
Frances Carrasco, a recent Corvallis High School graduate, who has been a spokesperson for the project, came up with the idea after she saw a painted crosswalk in Bozeman. "I thought it was a beautiful idea," she said. "I wanted to incorporate it into our town."
At a city council meeting last Tuesday, an ordinance concerning crosswalk painting--which would include an application process, a $150 filing fee and $1 million in liability insurance, among other requirements--was debated and voted down, and the council "denied painting pavement" in Hamilton, KPAX reported.
"While council members deliberated the basic question of whether to adopt or deny pavement painting, a crowded audience focused its public comment on the issue of an LGBTQ+ pavement painting," with many people speaking against the Pride proposal, KPAX said.
Luther told MTN News: "We've been emotional about it because we've had people come in and just thank us for making them feel welcome and safe, and wanted in their community. Because it's hard to remember that the quiet voices are there when the loud voices are so loud and so hateful, and yeah, we've seen a lot of support for this project."