Britons paint mural of 150,000 hearts to remember coronavirus victims

World

Published: 2021-03-30 10:55

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 09:46


Britons paint mural of 150,000 hearts to remember coronavirus victims
Britons paint mural of 150,000 hearts to remember coronavirus victims

Monday, a campaign group for bereaved families started hand-drawing around 150,000 hearts on a wall opposite the Houses of Parliament to pay homage to victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers of the event stated that the wall is not meant to be "political or antagonistic," despite its location, but provide a visual representation of the seriousness of the virus and honor all the lives lost.

The mural event was organized by 'COVID-19 Bereaved Families For Jusice UK,' which has urged the public to question the government's handling of the pandemic.

The co-founder, Matt Fowler, explained that each heart is hand-painted and unique, "just like the loved ones we've lost."

Fowler lost his father to COVID-19.

Labor leader Keir Starmer also attended the painting event, claiming it was a "close reminder to all of us that we must express our voices on behalf of those who have lost someone."

The mural is expected to stretch to just shy of a kilometer when complete. 

"Like the scale of our collective loss, this memorial is going to be enormous,” said Fowler.

However, campaign volunteers indicated that permission had not been given for the mural, noting that the Lambet Council was informed.

“If we’re told to stop doing it, we’ll stop,” they said, noting that they are not trying to get arrested and are committing to restoring the site if need be.