PARKLAND, FLA. (WSVN) - With the March For Our Lives rally scheduled to take place in Washington D.C. over the weekend, South Florida is getting ready for local sibling marches scheduled to take place at the same time.
Nearly 30,000 people are expected to attend the March For Our Lives rally at Pine Trails Park in Parkland on Saturday. However, plenty of additional marches will be taking place across South Florida.
“It’s a significant event. We’re anticipating more people in this park than we’ve ever had before, and we believe we’re ready for it,” said park spokesperson Todd Deangelis.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students have been working hard to prepare for the big day.
“If you told me two months ago that I would be planning a march for 30,000 people, I would’ve thought you were kidding,” said student Casey Sherman.
The organizers know they’re young, but they want their message to be heard loud and clear.
“Just because we’re students and we’re kids and we’re under 21 or 18 doesn’t mean we don’t have a say in this government,” said Sherman, “and I think that we’re making that point.”
Organizers hope the walks will be a chance for the community to come together and voice their support for the students.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of the work that we and students across the country and across the world have been doing,” Sherman said.
“We’re not able to vote, and we think that this is the best possible way for us to reach out to our elected officials so that they can hear us,” said student Hannah Gelbert.
From Miami Beach to Weston, communities are hosting their own marches for the thousands of people who can’t attend the main event in the nation’s capital.
“At the end of this, I just want elected officials and I want adults and children to just sit around a table and talk about the best way we can approach this problem because it does exist,” said student Rachel Edelstein.
The marches were planned after 17 people were killed in a mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14.
“‘Am I next?’ That’s what I think. ‘Am I the next person for this to happen to?'” said student Raisa Stein. “I want them to listen to us and to actually talk to us and see what we want instead of it going through one ear and out the other.”
The march at Pine Trails Park in Parkland will begin with a rally at 10 a.m., then thousands will march two miles to Stoneman Douglas High School and back beginning at 12 p.m.
“We need effective gun control regulation and legislation across the country,” said Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
Carvalho also plans to march alongside students in Miami Beach, Saturday. That march will begin at Miami Beach Senior High School at 10 a.m.
High-profile names are also expected to appear at the rally including Flo Rida and Emily Estefan, the daughter of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Officials will be closing the roads in Parkland Friday night in preparation for the march.
For those driving to Parkland for the march, there are a few things to keep in mind. Officials said if you do not live in the city, you have to park remotely and then take a shuttle from Lockhart Stadium, Florida Atlantic University or Coral Springs City Hall to the Pine Trails Park.
Organizers are also advising participants to pack snacks, water and sunscreen and to wear comfortable shoes. Strollers will also be allowed.
Marchers are not allowed to bring backpacks or bags unless they are clear. Selfie sticks and golf carts are also not permitted.
It is advised to arrive to the shuttle areas early.
Lyft is also offering free rides to any of the marches.
For a full list of local marches, click here.
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