Back To School Bulletproof 'Fashion,' Rally At Boston City Hall

BOSTON — Anti-gun violence advocates plan to take over Boston City Hall Plaza for a Back to School Fashion Show, Monday. But when activists put on a fashion show, it's not just going to be your regular back packs and knee socks. Expect to see fake bullet proof vests and helmets.

"This will be a one of a kind runway event of provocative wear designed to fight hypocritical lawmakers!" organizers posted to Facebook.

Manuel and Patricia Oliver, founders of the activist group Change the Ref, plan to transform City Hall Plaza into a fashion show with a catwalk, DJ and some provocative fashion statements all in front of a banner with the image of their son Joaquin — one of the 17 killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting earlier this year.

"This is a unique event and we're looking forward to collaborating with Boston youth to deliver a provocative message Monday. We hope activists from across the city will join us in memory of our son Joaquin to demand a change, Manuel Oliver, founder of Change the Ref said in a emailed statement to Patch.

Change the Ref is part of a larger movement that sprung up after that shooting on Valentine's Day.

The students of that high school took to the road asking for change at government level and grieving through protest, including in Boston where they helped organize marches and meetings with legislators. >>Parkland Students Visit Cambridge To Talk About #NeverAgain

The Olivers moved to Parkland from Venezuela looking for a place the family would be safe from the violence they left. When they found Marjory Stoneman Douglas, in Florida they thought they'd found that and a safe school for their son.

And then Joaquin was among those killed.

"In order to carry on, they had to channel their energy somewhere. So they established this organization," said Alec Loftus of Change the Ref. in a phone interview.

Joaquin was on the basketball team at the high school and was sick of the referee giving what he thought were bad calls. He told his parents he thought the ref was "in the tank" for the other team. He said they needed to "change the ref." When his parents formed their organization in his honor, thought thought it was a perfect reference for Congress who they said were in the tank for the NRA.

"It's like; change Congress, we need leaders who are not in the tank for the NRA," Loftus told Patch.

The Olivers have been going around the country mainly working on mural unveilings, dubbed "Walls of Demand" mainly to catch the eye of legislators and highlight the need for change. Manuel, who is an artist, spray paints murals of his son. This week they were at the Worcester march.

They wanted to do something new in Boston since it's a hotbed of political activity, according to Loftus. They've connected with several area teens and are now working on getting the word out to let any young person interested know to come participate.

On February 14, 2018, a former student came into the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla, and went on a shooting spree killing 17 and injuring 16 more, making it one of the deadliest mass school shootings. The tragedy kicked off anti-gun violence rallies around the country and a youth-led movement sprung up with hashtags like #EnoughIsEnough and #NotOneMore as organizations like March for Our Lives and Change the Ref alongside.

WHO: Manuel and Patricia Oliver of Change the Ref, local youth and anti-gun violence advocates, along with Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley
WHAT: Back to School Fashion Show Activism
WHERE: City Hall Plaza Flags, 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA
WHEN: Monday, August 27, 11 a.m.
RSVP: on Facebook.

Change the Ref’s goal is to give the young generation of survivors and victims a disrupting voice to help lead the way to change and a more peaceful future, according to its website.

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Photo up top from the March 24 March For Our Lives Protest walk by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff.