Buddy Holly crosswalk in Texas hometown to be removed following governor’s order on road safety
HOUSTON (AP) — Fans of the Buddy Holly crosswalk in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, will soon have to say goodbye to it, with a painted depiction of the rock and roll legend’s iconic glasses. This will probably be a day that will make them cry.
Lubbock City Council members said this week they had no choice but to remove it to comply with a mandate from the Trump administration and Republicans to clear public roadways of any political messages or artwork.
Laredo, in South Texas, a mural was removed protested in October border wall Along the southern border with Mexico. In August, Florida civil servants rainbow crosswalk removed outside blow night club 49 people were shot dead.
Lubbock’s crosswalk was first installed in 2020 and is located near the Buddy Holly Center museum downtown, which features exhibits honoring Lubbock’s most famous native son.
“It’s a very enjoyable slice and people like it. So what do you do?” said City Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia, who was among those questioning why he should go.
Lubbock received a letter from the Texas Department of Transportation containing “some strongly worded language” threatening the possible loss of state or federal funding for road projects, David Bragg, Lubbock’s interim director of public works, told council members Tuesday.
“This was a very broad letter. I don’t think it was intended to go after Buddy Holly glasses, for example. Unfortunately, that’s what happened,” Bragg said.
Mayor Mark McBrayer said the city had no choice but to comply.
“Probably everyone here has received some communications from people who wish that wasn’t the case,” McBrayer said. “But I don’t think we have the money to do anything about it without trying to litigate, and I don’t think there’s any appetite here anyway.” The removal will occur during normal maintenance next year, Bragg said.
On Oct. 8, Abbott directed the department to ensure that all Texas cities and counties comply with federal and state guidelines for highway safety and ban symbols, flags and other signs that convey social or political messages, as well as any signs and signals that do not directly support traffic control or safety.
“Texans expect taxpayer dollars to be used wisely on Texas highways rather than advancing political agendas,” Abbott said in a statement.
Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
Abbott’s order comes after Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy sent letters to all U.S. governors in July saying intersections and crosswalks should be kept free of distractions.
“Roads are for safety, not political messages or works of art,” Duffy’s statement said.
Holly was born and raised in Lubbock, located in northwest Texas. He decided to pursue rock and roll music after seeing Elvis Presley perform in 1955. His best-known songs include “That’ll Be the Day”, “Rave On” and “”. PeggySue.”
Holly was just 22 years old when she died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 3, 1959, which also killed Ritchie Valens and JP “Big Bopper” Richardson. three rockers The deaths were immortalized in Don McLean’s 1971 song “American Pie” and commemorated as “the day the music died.”
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