A vibrant virtual tribute. New York, which is today the city in the United States most bereaved by the coronavirus, paid tribute to its 30,258 dead, this Sunday, March 14, one year after the start of the pandemic.
“We have lost more New Yorkers than in WWII, the Vietnam War, Hurricane Sandy and 9/11 combined. Every family has been affected, and for so many families there is pain, raw pain, ”Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a live virtual ceremony, after asking to observe a minute of silence in homage to the victims.
We’ve lost tens of thousands of New Yorkers to COVID-19, but their memory lives on. Join us for the #COVIDMemorial. https://t.co/UMEKz3QJNk
– Major Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 14, 2021
The elected Democrat also mentioned the “health heroes” who “saved lives”, sometimes at their expense, and also asked to remember the good times.
“Whatever happens, no one can take the dances you have already danced from you!” Said Bill de Blasio in Spanish, quoting a quote from the Colombian writer and Nobel Prize winner for literature Gabriel Garcia Marquez, in an city where a third of immigrants are of Latin origin.
One year ago today, our way of life changed forever. We endured a year that took our loved ones, our jobs, and our city as we knew it.
Now we will remember those we lost, the sacrifices that we made, and we will rebuild. Together.#COVIDMemorial pic.twitter.com/PowAf6EMyV
— City of New York (@nycgov) March 15, 2021
The virtual ceremony began with a short New York Philharmonic recital, in front of lit candles on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge at nightfall.
Large black and white photos of the victims were projected onto the bridge. There were speeches by religious leaders, a young poet, witnesses, as well as the participation of Hezekiah Walker, pastor of the great Brooklyn Church (Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church) and popular gospel artist, accompanied by the choir. The Love Fellowship.
A ceremony attended by many Americans bruised by the loss of a loved one.
New York City Covid Anniversary. Emotional memorial this evening on the Brooklyn Bridge to the 30,000 NYers taken by Covid -19 over the past year. pic.twitter.com/AeCZxhhkmb
— Jane Kratochvil (@JaneKratochvil) March 15, 2021
New York City’s Covid Day of Remembrance memorial this evening was very beautiful. You can watch it here: https://t.co/Tu6qFupyaw pic.twitter.com/6OfftRTLCa
– katie honan (@katie_honan) March 15, 2021
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