Newton, Mass., replaced a street’s red, white and green centerline with standard yellow stripes, citing traffic safety concerns, weeks before an annual Italian American festival.

Newton mayor faces pressure to repaint Italian flag traffic stripes on Nonantum parade route before festival By Claire Thornton Globe Staff,Updated July 9, 2025, 2:28 p.m.

The colors were meant to recognize the deep Italian roots in Nonatum, one of Newton’s 13 villages. “That’s no good what they did. Very disgusting,” said one resident.

And for some residents, a “rebellion” has recently begun. The Italian flag-colored traffic stripes that emblazoned Adams Street for almost 100 years were painted over last month.