SEATTLE -- Not long after Seattle city leaders approved rainbow crosswalks to honor LGBT pride in Capitol Hill, it appears someone grabbed a can of paint and created their own colorful crosswalks in the Central District.
The red, green, and black stripes showed up the same weekend as the UmojaFest Parade. The colors are significant because they represent the Pan-African flag.
"I don't see a problem with it," said Central District resident Tiffany Jones. "This neighborhood used to be predominantly black at one point in time. It's a sense of pride. It's our culture. It's who we are."
On Facebook, a group called the United Hood Movement took at least partial credit for the rogue crosswalk, saying they knew it would give a sense of ownership back to the community since gentrification has changed it so rapidly.
KING 5 spoke to the leader of the group by phone. He was not ready to speak on camera, but said they were one of several neighborhood organizations that took part in the painting.
The red, green, and black horizontal-striped crosswalks can be found near the intersection of MLK and Cherry and about a block south near Powell Barnett Park. A vertical version can be found on South Jackson Street.
Supporters feel there is no difference between this colorful crosswalk and Capitol Hill's rainbow-colored ones.
"That's gay pride, this is African American pride. There is no difference," one man said.
A spokesperson for the Seattle Department of Transportation told KING 5 they are aware of the rogue crosswalks, painted by unknown parties. He said SDOT is supportive of community building activities, but must ensure the city's crosswalks remain recognizable and safe. As a result, he said SDOT is now reviewing what action should be taken by the city.
Some people expressed concern that the use of non-reflective paint made the crosswalks difficult to see at night.
"I was shocked that the colors are so muted," one man said, after walking the crosswalk and driving through it. "It makes the crosswalk virtually invisible!"
Others like the idea, but felt this was not the best way to go about it.
"When you come out here and do this on your own, it actually defeats your cause and purpose, in my opinion," said Kevin Amos. "If we really wanted red, green, and black crosswalks, they should've gone to city hall and asked."
Jones, for now, hopes SDOT's decision will eventually bring reflective paint to the Pan-African themed stripes, and make the Central District crosswalks official, like in Capitol Hill.
"You spent $66,000 on the rainbows," she said. "Spend $66,000 on the black flag."
The 11 rainbow-colored crosswalks in Capitol Hill did cost about $66,000, or $6,000 each - but the city said the cost was being covered by fees for new private developers in the area.
