A Putnam County community is donating shoes to show their stance against a potential COVID-19 vaccine mandate in schools.

Dozens of shoes were laid out at Mahopac Chamber Park.

Parents and community members say they want lawmakers to know they will not comply to any potential vaccine mandate for their children.

The demonstration is also doubling as a charity.

The shoes will be going to local organizations.

Community members say the shoes are representing children not only in Mahopac, but in Brewster and Putnam Valley, too.

They say they aren't necessarily against vaccines - they are against the idea of forcing children to get the COVID shot - a vaccine some parents say they don't know enough about.

The pressure is on right now because an Assembly bill is in the works to mandate the COVID vaccine for all schools.

State Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz is sponsoring the bill. He says vaccine mandates at schools are nothing new.

While data shows children are at a lower risk of experiencing severe COVID symptoms or death from the virus, lawmakers say it's more about decreasing the possibility of spreading the virus to older and at-risk populations.

In Mahopac, parents say there is an incomparable difference between current routine vaccines at schools and the COVID shot.

And that's why the shoes a facing away from the doors of the high school. It aims to send a message to lawmakers that some members of the community will be walking away from this district if a COVID vaccine law is imposed.