Buddy Holly's Hometown Crosswalk to be Removed on Trump's Orders

City officials in Lubbock, Texas, announced this week that they will be removing the iconic Buddy Holly crosswalk, a popular tourist attraction in the hometown of the legendary rock and roll musician. The crosswalk, which features a painted depiction of Holly's signature glasses, was first installed in 2020 near the Buddy Holly Center, a downtown museum dedicated to honoring Lubbock's most famous native son. The decision to remove the crosswalk comes in response to a directive from the Trump administration, which has been cracking down on public art and displays deemed to be "political messages" or "artwork." The directive has already led to the removal of several other public displays, including a mural in Laredo, Texas, that protested the border wall and a rainbow-colored crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub in Florida. "We have no choice but to comply with the directive," said a spokesperson for the Lubbock City Council. "We understand that the crosswalk is a beloved landmark, but we cannot ignore the law." The Buddy Holly crosswalk has become a popular destination for fans of the musician, who died in a plane crash in 1959 at the age of 22. The crosswalk has been the subject of numerous photos and social media posts, and has even been featured on several travel guides and blogs. The removal of the crosswalk has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and locals, who are mourning the loss of a beloved piece of public art. "It's a tragedy," said one fan, who wished to remain anonymous. "The crosswalk was a symbol of Lubbock's rich music history, and it's a shame that it's being taken away." The city has not yet announced a timeline for the removal of the crosswalk, but officials say that it will be completed as soon as possible. In the meantime, fans are being encouraged to visit the Buddy Holly Center and take photos with the crosswalk before it's gone. The removal of the Buddy Holly crosswalk is the latest in a series of high-profile public art controversies, which have sparked debate about the role of government in regulating public expression. As one local artist noted, "This is a slippery slope. If we start removing public art that we don't like, where do we draw the line?"