The intent of the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks (501c3) is and has always been to have a permanent installation of Rainbow Crosswalks at the corner of 10th and Piedmont. When we initiated fundraising, it was for this purpose. Unfortunately, the final installation of the crosswalks was only approved on a temporary basis by Atlanta City Council, with allowed installation each Pride weekend at their discretion. This decision is frustrating for us as we know it has... been for each of you. We proceeded with the temporary installation in hopes the City would see how much joy it brought and to keep the momentum of the project moving forward. This decision was made based on survey results with an overwhelming “yes” from donors and the community.
Although the crosswalks did bring tremendous joy to the City during Pride, it came at significant expense. The costs to permit, mobilize, paint, and “remove” the crosswalks well exceeded the cost of doing a permanent installation, a situation we don’t see as the best use of community funds.
Since Pride, we have tried multiple channels to get the project reconsidered for permanence, we also started a petition that gathered close to 5000 signatures, to no avail. We currently have a balance of $16,358.41 in the ATLRC account we feel would be better disbursed back into the community than spent on future, temporary, installations of the rainbow crosswalks. For that reason, ATLRC will disburse remaining funds to seven Atlanta organizations focused on community, inclusion, diversity, and equality, the same focus as the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks. Georgia Equality, Living Room, Lost-n-Found Youth, Out on Film, PAWS Atlanta, Piedmont Park Conservancy, and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church are all great organizations supporting and giving to our community so we know funds will be put to great use.
Thank you for your support and understanding; we achieved something magical, we made Atlanta history, and that's something that can't be taken away or painted over. ;)
Sincerely,
The ATLRC team!
Robert Sepulveda Jr.
Wes Berry
Jonathan Shapero
--------Total Donation(s):
Georgia Equality: $3,180.80
Lost-n-Found Youth: $3,180.80
Piedmont Park Conservancy: $1817.60
Living Room: $2,726.40
Out on Film: $2,726.40
PAWS Atlanta: $1363.20
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: $1,363.20
❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️
!['Thank you @[461076025647:274:Senator Vincent Fort] for supporting The Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks!'](https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12079566_1183566328324520_8465507729404190003_n.jpg?oh=5b66549e8f9d90eef0cbd6dc5d9b2a63&oe=57F1C3CF)
