Thousands March in local March for Our Lives Rally in Boca Raton
Photos by: Nicholas Harvey
Boca Raton drew the largest crowd in Palm Beach County at the March for Our Lives rally, that was held nationwide.
City estimates show that at least 6,000 people showed up to the event, with a packed Mizner Park Amphitheatre, which has a capacity of 5,000, plus at least 1,000 more just outside at Mizner Park.
The rally was among the hundreds demonstrations across the country to boost school safety and push for tougher gun-control legislation.
The march began at 10am at at the baseball fields just behind Boca Raton City Hall. Protesters then marched north on Crawford Boulevard, turned right on Northwest Fourth Diagonal and headed south on Northwest Boca Raton Boulevard. From there, they headed east on Northwest Second Street and turn north on Plaza Real toward the amphitheater off Federal Highway just north of Palmetto Park Road.
“The idea came to fruition, when, like all of us, my heart was hurting for these families who lost their children and doing nothing was not an option,” said Barbara Finizio, one of the organizers of the March. “Watching things happen rather than making things happen, under these horrific conditions was not even a consideration so I researched whether a Boca march had been started and found, at the time Boca, Delray and WPB had not begun one.”
Finizio reached out to Maria Sachs, a fellow mom, and advocate, who agreed to partner with her, and thus the Boca march was born.
“We were both very upset about the tragedy that happened so close to us,” said Sachs. “Rather than complain we decided to do something about it.”
“As to the turn out, we were worried about the turn out, because it was Spring Break for Palm Beach County Schools,” said Finizio. “We were expecting 2000 and more like 6000-8000 showed up. We were thrilled with the turnout.”
Both Finizio and Sachs are committed to the cause and wish to keep it going. Affiliated with March for Our Lives and having the March in conjunction with the marches around the globe was the goal.
After meeting with City Officials, Fire and Police, it soon became clear that getting permits would be almost impossible. “It was a fortunate encounter with another Mom that helped pave the way, that Mom was the Mayor of the City, Sue Haynie,” said Sachs.
The day of the event, March for Our Lives Boca Raton had volunteers from Mothers Demand Action which totaled to 30, as well as friends who had volunteered. “Nancy King and her family, as well as many others deserves a shout out of thanks for their help from the beginning,” added Finizio.
While the movement began with two Moms, Sachs and Finizio are thankful of the help recieved from Kelley Devieto, of Moms Demand Action; Rita Thrasher of Boca’s Promise; Arlene Ustein of the League of Women Voters; Shelly from my Law Office; Finizio’s daughter Michelle, and my Sachs’ daughters, Jessica from JARC and Natasha from Coursea who joined from San Francisco.
Monika Amar, of the City’s Special Events office also assisted in taking care of the hundreds of logistics that go into an event of this magnitude. CBS offered a simulcast of the March in Washington DC. “This was so important in making us feel a part of this larger movement where the City of Boca Raton and its citizens were represented and our voices were heard,” Sachs added.
Rather than organized partisan groups protesting, buses of folks coming from communities and homeowner associations arrived at the March in solidarity. Ages ranged from children in strollers to seniors in their late 80’s to 90’s. “As far as I could see from the stage, there were thousands of people, standing together in unison for our children,” said Sachs.
“We did not know anyone personally, however, we know people who know some of the families. As a mother I felt their pain even though it did not happen to me,” said Finizio. “I have 3 daughters who I worry about daily and ask them to avoid concerts, public venues, trains, buses, etc. I remind them to know their surroundings and be vigilant at all times. When you can’t feel safe at churches, concerts, movie theaters, offices, or any public venue the time to make a change is now.”
Finizio and Sachs are not done and have plans for more activism events in Boca Raton.
“The March was a great success, but it doesn’t end here,” said Sachs. “We’re planning the next step, which will be in concert with the national movement but with a local emphasis. We will be announcing the next event soon which will be focused on specific community policies to keep our students safe.”
