Two of the ordinances, numbers 37 and 47, were created in 1924 and established “The Negro District within the Town of Boynton, Florida” and “The White District within the town of Boynton, Florida.” The third, ordinance number 136, was passed in 1933 and made it illegal for any person over 18 to “loiter, wander, stroll or be about or in the public streets, parks, public or other places, on foot, in a vehicle or any kind whatsoever” in the other race’s segregated district after 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the month. It was created to “promote public peace, welfare, harmony and good order of the Town of Boynton,” according to the ordinance. Such rules were known as sundown laws and were commonly used throughout the country to enforce segregation.
“These ordinances are part of our history, but they won’t be a part of our future,” Mayor Ty Penserga said. “While they haven’t been enforced for many years, it’s time we remove them from the books. There is no place for segregation and racism in Boynton Beach.”
The commission will repeal the ordinances at its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 100 E. Ocean Ave. The meeting is open to the public.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, residents are invited to take part in a symbolic march retracing the steps of the Black community’s journey toward equal rights in Boynton Beach. Community members will meet at 10 a.m. at City Hall and march to Sara Sims Park, where the commissioners will burn the ordinances. Following the burning, there will be a community block party. Lunch will be provided. Participants are asked to rsvp at the following link: https://weblink.bbfl.us/Forms/EventRSVP
The event is part of the Unity Project, which is funded in part by a grand from the Mellon Foundation, South Arts and the Florida Division of Arts and Culture. Learn more at www.Boynton-Beach.org.