Texas school shooting victims honored in Boston memorial service

BOSTON — Dozens honored the 21 victims of this week’s Texas school shooting and rallied for peace in an event on Copley Square Thursday.

Danny Rivera, of the Artist Initiative for Revolution, helped organize the event, which featured 19 backpacks to represent the children whose lives were lost at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Tuesday.

“I’m speechless. I have nothing to say,” Rivera said. “I was organizing this rally with my coworkers, not even being able to fully digest what has happened.”

Many placed flowers beside the names of the victims written in chalk. Participants sang, spoke and read poetry.

“If we see tragedy happening in our world, we use art to combat that tragedy with peace,” Rivera said. “If we want a sustainable future, if we want to make sure our children’s children’s children have an opportunity to thrive in this world, then we must step up to the plate and we must stop the nonsense.”

Some in attendance prayed, while others wrote messages of solidarity and hope for a safer future.

“We need to collectively mourn together,” said Kristin Parker. “This is a huge, nationwide issue that we’ve not processed. And I think we need to collectively organize to act together and get stronger together.”

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